The Swiss Reject a Project to Strengthen Their Country's Neutrality in a Referendum

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On Sunday, the Swiss rejected, as expected, a popular initiative aimed at tightening the neutrality of their country, which is supported by the nationalist right, while its opponents described it as pro-Russian, according to preliminary estimates after the polls closed.

The proponents of this project, through a mechanism known as a popular initiative, sought to include provisions in the constitution that would strengthen Switzerland's neutrality by prohibiting any alliance with a military organization and any reliance on economic sanctions against a third country, except those decided by the United Nations.

The text was rejected by a wide majority of 71%, according to preliminary estimates published by the "GSF.Bern" opinion polling institute, shortly after the last polling stations closed.

Socialist MP Laurence Fehlmann Rielle stated in a statement to the official "RTS" channel that this shows that "the Swiss still adhere to a policy of neutrality that allows Switzerland to impose sanctions and take a stance on the international stage."

The federal constitution has stipulated since 1848 Switzerland's neutrality, which has been deeply rooted in its history for centuries. On this basis, it refrains from taking sides in wars between other countries.

However, Switzerland's alignment with the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Moscow following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as its assumption of a non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council for the first time between 2023 and 2024, has sparked a debate regarding its neutrality.

Two different visions of Swiss neutrality emerge.

Proponents of flexible neutrality believe that Switzerland should be able to adapt its policy to circumstances, a rationale that has led it to cooperate, for example, with NATO without being a member of it.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis recently stated to Swiss public radio that neutrality "has always been used with a margin of maneuver."

He also saw during the campaign that "neutrality does not mean that Switzerland turns a blind eye when violations of international rules occur."

In contrast, the pro-initiative organization "Pro Switzerland," which opposes European integration, has a stricter view of the concept of neutrality, and its project, which was presented for a referendum, received support from the Democratic Union of the Center, a right-wing nationalist party that is the largest political force in Switzerland.

The Deputy President of the party, parliament member Céline Amoudruz, stated in a public television interview that "Switzerland has a fundamental role to play on this planet." She added, "It is that white spot that we want to be; it is neutrality. What we want is to achieve peace, diplomacy, and dialogue. In order to do that, we must have credibility through permanent neutrality."

The initiative was welcomed by Moscow, which accuses Bern of abandoning its neutrality by following Brussels' sanctions.

The Democratic Union of the Center was the only one among the main parties that supported the initiative.

After initial opinion polls showed a close divide between supporters and opponents of the initiative, the last two polls published last week indicated that a large majority of voters, exceeding 60 percent, reject the initiative, thus adopting the government's position.

According to preliminary forecasts, 72% of Swiss citizens rejected another initiative aimed at boosting Switzerland's food production in an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign sources.

This initiative, backed by a non-partisan citizens' movement, aimed to raise the food self-sufficiency rate from 42 percent in 2024 to 70 percent within ten years, a goal the government considers extremely difficult, if not impossible.

The main parties also see this goal as lacking realism and urge its rejection, except for the Green Party, which has not issued any voting recommendation.

Sheldon Masiraz, Vice President of the "Young Greens" party, which supported the initiative, said in a statement to Swiss television on Sunday, "The goal was to achieve 70% self-sufficiency within ten years. I believe this goal raised reservations among many."