Swiss voters reject stricter neutrality rules in referendum

Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to impose tighter constitutional limits on the country’s longstanding neutrality, preserving the government’s ability to impose sanctions and cooperate with NATO.

Final results from Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office showed about 70% voted against the initiative in Sunday’s referendum. Turnout was 47%, and the proposal failed in all 26 cantons, according to the Swiss government.

The initiative would have defined Swiss neutrality as “perpetual and armed,” restricted military cooperation with other countries unless Switzerland was attacked or faced an imminent attack, and allowed sanctions against countries at war only with approval from the United Nations Security Council.

Pro Schweiz, a national-conservative organization linked to the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, organized the initiative. Its supporters argued that Switzerland had weakened its neutrality by adopting European Union sanctions against Russia and expanding cooperation with NATO after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Swiss government, parliament and nearly all major political parties opposed the measure, arguing that neutrality required flexibility and that the proposal would limit Switzerland’s response to international crises. The Swiss People’s Party accepted the result and said it did not currently plan further action.