Swiss voters will decide on September 27 whether to adopt a more restrictive definition of the country’s traditional neutrality, a proposal that would limit Switzerland’s ability to cooperate with NATO and impose economic sanctions.
The initiative, backed by Switzerland’s right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), seeks to enshrine “perpetual and armed neutrality” in the constitution. It would prevent Switzerland from joining or cooperating with military or defence alliances unless the country were attacked or faced an imminent attack. It would also restrict Switzerland from participating in sanctions against countries involved in conflicts, except for measures imposed by the United Nations and certain anti-circumvention measures.
Opinion polls currently suggest the proposal is unlikely to pass. A survey published on August 21 showed 54% of respondents opposed the initiative and 42% supported it, following another poll that found 62% against and 32% in favour.
Why is Swiss neutrality under pressure?
Switzerland’s neutrality has been internationally recognised since 1815 and has long been central to the country’s foreign policy. Supporters of the initiative argue that recent decisions have undermined that position, particularly Switzerland’s adoption of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
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Christoph Blocher, a veteran politician and prominent SVP supporter, argues that Switzerland’s neutrality must be credible if the country wants to remain protected from conflicts involving other states.
Russia has also entered the debate. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised Switzerland for aligning its sanctions with those imposed by the European Union, arguing that a more flexible interpretation of neutrality effectively amounts to abandoning neutrality altogether.
Government warns of security risks
The Swiss government and most major political parties oppose the initiative.
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has warned that adopting the proposal could isolate Switzerland from its European neighbours and weaken its security by restricting cooperation with NATO. The government argues that neutrality already provides Switzerland with sufficient flexibility and does not need to be permanently locked into a narrower constitutional definition.
Supporters of the current system also argue that Switzerland’s neutrality does not prevent it from responding to violations of international law or cooperating with other countries when doing so serves its security interests.
Political scientist Laurent Goetschel of the University of Basel said neutrality should not be treated as an inflexible doctrine. In his view, the government should retain the ability to determine how neutrality is applied as international circumstances change.
Russia and Europe factor into the vote
The referendum comes at a sensitive moment for European security. Russia’s war in Ukraine has forced traditionally neutral European countries to reconsider their defence and foreign policy positions, while NATO cooperation has expanded across much of the continent.
For Switzerland, the debate is therefore about more than its relationship with NATO. It also concerns whether the country should retain the ability to coordinate with European partners, impose sanctions and respond collectively to international crises.
Opponents argue that preventing Switzerland from participating in such measures could leave it isolated precisely when European security cooperation is becoming more important.
What happens next?
Swiss voters will decide the issue on September 27.
Current polling points toward rejection, but the campaign is not considered settled. The SVP and other supporters of tighter neutrality have continued campaigning heavily, while opponents argue that the proposal would constrain Switzerland’s foreign policy and weaken its security position.
The referendum could therefore become an important test of whether Switzerland wants to preserve its traditional neutrality as a flexible foreign policy principle or transform it into a much stricter constitutional commitment.
With information from Reuters.
