Swiss Voters Reject Tighter Neutrality Rules, Maintain NATO Cooperation, Sanctions

Swiss voters on Sunday rejected a proposal to adopt stricter neutrality rules that would have curbed cooperation with NATO and blocked the country from imposing economic sanctions.

Final results from the Federal Statistical Office showed approximately 70 percent of voters and all cantons opposed the initiative. State broadcaster SRF projections also indicated more than two-thirds voted against the measure. The proposal aimed to enshrine perpetual and armed neutrality into the Swiss constitution. It would have barred Switzerland from joining military alliances or imposing sanctions on warring states unless mandated by the United Nations.

The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) promoted the initiative, with its backer Christoph Blocher reportedly spending 2 million francs on the campaign. The Swiss government, parliament, and most major parties opposed the proposal. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis stated the measure would harm national security and prevent Switzerland from training with NATO. Green Party lawmaker Sibel Arslan said voters understood the SVP sought to isolate Switzerland internationally.

Switzerland's neutrality has been internationally recognized since 1815 and part of its constitution since 1848. However, the government's implementation of this principle is not explicitly defined. The debate over neutrality intensified after Switzerland mirrored European Union sanctions against Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Supporters of the initiative argued this decision eroded the country's traditional neutral stance.

Russia openly backed the proposal, urging Swiss voters to support it. SVP lawmaker Lukas Reimann accepted the defeat, noting the widespread commitment to Swiss neutrality expressed during the campaign. The SVP stated it currently has no plans for further action. Voters will face another neutrality question later this year regarding arms export rules.