Media projections put Sunday's Swiss vote against a constitutional bid for stricter neutrality at about 71%, gfs.bern co-director Lukas Golder said on SRF. The proposal would have barred Switzerland from sanctioning countries that start wars, except under UN sanctions.
Neutrality has been in Switzerland's Constitution since 1848. The Pro Schweiz initiative, which has close ties to the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party, would also have kept Switzerland out of armed conflicts and closed its territory to warring parties, while allowing ordinary business with countries that start wars. Supporters said tougher neutrality would make Switzerland safer and strengthen its credibility as a mediator; opponents said a country cannot hide behind neutrality and treat perpetrators and victims equally.
