Swiss Government Rejects Push To Enshrine Strict Neutrality In Constitution

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

BERN (Worthy News) – Switzerland’s government has rejected a campaign to enshrine a stricter interpretation of the Alpine nation’s centuries-old neutrality in the constitution, ahead of a nationwide referendum next month.

Supporters of the initiative say Swiss neutrality, dating to the end of the Napoleonic Wars, has been “stretched” since Bern imposed economic sanctions on Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Switzerland has also strengthened cooperation with the NATO military alliance in areas including training, raising concerns among campaigners that closer ties could eventually force the traditionally neutral nation to choose sides in international conflicts.

The Swiss constitution currently contains no fixed definition of neutrality, but campaigners want it to state that Swiss neutrality is perpetual and armed and that the country cannot join military alliances.

SWISS NEUTRALITY REFERENDUM

The proposal would also prevent Switzerland from participating in conflicts between third countries or imposing sanctions against warring nations unless the United Nations approved those measures.

Campaigners gathered more than 100,000 signatures to trigger the September 27 referendum under Switzerland’s system of direct democracy. If voters approve the initiative, the constitution would have to be amended.

The proposal is backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), but a Tamedia opinion poll in June suggested it faces an uphill battle, with 34 percent supporting the initiative and 54 percent opposing it.

Launching the government’s campaign against the proposal Tuesday, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said there was no need to replace the country’s current approach with a more restrictive interpretation of neutrality.

GOVERNMENT WARNS OF SECURITY RISKS

“Switzerland has been and is neutral, and it will remain neutral,” Cassis said.

He argued that many of the campaigners’ objectives were already being met because Swiss neutrality is internationally recognized and the country does not belong to a military or defense alliance.

However, Cassis warned that the proposed constitutional restrictions would reduce Switzerland’s ability to respond to emerging security threats by limiting cooperation with foreign partners until the country faced an attack or preparations for one.

“The initiative considerably restricts security policy cooperation,” Cassis said. “Anyone who waits until the crisis is already here before they are willing to cooperate is too late.”

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