Switzerland votes on stricter neutrality rules — Cyprus Mail

Switzerland is holding a referendum on Sunday on enshrining a stricter definition of neutrality in its constitution. The initiative предусматривает a ban on the country’s cooperation with NATO, as well as restrictions on joining sanctions not approved by the United Nations.

As Cyprus Mail reports, citing Reuters, supporters of the proposal want to establish in the constitution that Switzerland cannot join or cooperate with a military or defence alliance unless the country has been attacked.

Dispute over sanctions

The Swiss People’s Party says the country’s traditional neutrality weakened after Bern joined sanctions against Russia, the aggressor state, following its invasion of Ukraine. The campaign supporting the initiative placed posters across the country bearing the slogan “No to war, yes to neutrality” and depicting white doves.

Businessman and Swiss People’s Party supporter Christoph Blocher told Reuters that Switzerland had not had a war for 200 years because it is permanently armed and adheres to neutrality. He also claims that because of the sanctions, Russia now considers Switzerland a party to the conflict.

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Government position and polling

Most parties and the Swiss government oppose the initiative. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said its adoption would harm national security and deprive the country of the ability to conduct exercises with NATO.

Fabio Wasserfallen, a professor of European politics at the University of Bern, noted that the Swiss support neutrality but generally approve of the government’s current approach to implementing it and of sanctions against Russia. According to one of the latest polls, 68% of respondents opposed the initiative, while 31% supported it.

Swiss neutrality has been internationally recognized since the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, but the way it is applied by the government is not clearly defined. Supporters of the initiative believe that neutrality helped the country avoid participation in two world wars and gives Bern the opportunity to offer mediation in peace negotiations.