Swiss voters categorically rejected this Sunday a proposal that would adopt a more restrictive form of neutrality and could prevent the country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO.
All cantons and about 70% of voters rejected the proposal to include in the Swiss Constitution a stricter definition of neutrality, according to the final results released by the Federal Statistical Office.
“This result is not a vote against neutrality. Switzerland was neutral yesterday, is neutral today and will remain neutral in the future,” said Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis at a press conference after the announcement of the results.
Although Swiss neutrality has been internationally recognized since the end of the Napoleonic Wars, in 1815, the manner in which the government implements it is not explicit.
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP), on the right, said that Switzerland’s traditional position was harmed after Bern imposed sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
The campaign financed posters across the country urging people to vote “No to war, yes to neutrality,” featuring white doves of peace, before the vote.
Cassis said that the rejection allows Switzerland to continue deciding on economic sanctions on a case-by-case basis and to cooperate with partners when that strengthens the country’s security, which, according to him, also depends on the security of its neighbors and the European continent.
