Swiss voters rejected a constitutional plan to tighten neutrality; projections showed over two-thirds voted no, and it failed to win a majority of cantons. It would have barred NATO cooperation unless Switzerland was attacked and limited sanctions to UN-approved cases.
Swiss neutrality has been internationally recognised since 1815, but the way the government implements it is not specified. The Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which backed the proposal, said neutrality had been eroded by Bern’s sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine; most parties and the government opposed the initiative.
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said the proposal would harm national security and prevent Switzerland from training with NATO. The SVP accepted defeat and said it had no current plans for further action; lawmaker Lukas Reimann said it could become active again if the government or the initiative’s opponents strayed from neutrality, for example by adopting tougher sanctions.
