Swiss Reject 'Constitutional Neutrality' Tightening by 70.2%, Support Foreign Policy Flexibility

Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected yesterday a popular initiative aimed at enshrining stricter provisions on the country’s principle of neutrality in the constitution, with final results showing that 70.2% of voters opposed it.

Commenting on the outcome, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said at a press conference held in the capital, Bern, after the results were announced that neutrality is essential to Switzerland’s security and independence, emphasizing that “neutrality does not mean indifference to what is happening; rather, neutrality protects the country, provided that Switzerland is useful to other states.”

The popular initiative, submitted by the organization Pro Suisse, known for its opposition to European integration, and backed by the Swiss People’s Party (the largest political force) and part of the radical left, seeks to incorporate a more rigid concept of neutrality into the Swiss Constitution.

The initiative’s proponents proposed that Swiss neutrality be “permanent and armed,” and that Switzerland not join or cooperate with any military or defensive alliance unless it faces a direct military attack or preparatory actions for such an attack. They also suggested that Switzerland refrain from participating in military conflicts between states and from imposing economic or diplomatic sanctions on warring countries, except for sanctions mandated by the United Nations and measures aimed at preventing circumvention of sanctions.

In contrast, opponents of the initiative, including the Federal Council and Parliament, stressed the need to preserve a “neutrality” that allows Switzerland sufficient flexibility to adapt to international developments and defend its interests, arguing that the proposed restrictions could limit its ability to safeguard its security, independence, and prosperity.

The current approach enables Switzerland to cooperate with other countries and organizations in the security field, including cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), without joining it. It also allows Switzerland to participate in certain sanction regimes, such as those adopted by the European Union against companies and individuals from some countries, including Russia.

Swiss authorities view sanctions as an important tool for responding to violations of international law and threats to the international system, warning that a ban on adopting such sanctions could constrain Switzerland’s room for maneuver and affect its interests and international relations.

The principle of neutrality has enabled Switzerland to play a role in mediation and good offices, providing a platform for dialogue among conflicting parties. This has allowed it to host and support meetings and initiatives for dialogue on a number of international issues, including communications related to the Russian-Ukrainian war, dialogue between Iran and the United States, as well as diplomatic efforts and initiatives related to conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.