Politics
Swiss voters reject stricter constitutional neutrality rules
September 27, 2026 at 04:56 PM
Coverage
3 reports · over 3 hours
BNBBC News
Switzerland rejects stricter interpretation of its neutrality
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Swiss voters reject stricter neutrality rules that would curb Nato cooperation
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera English
Swiss voters set to reject tighter neutrality rules in referendum
(opens the publisher’s site)Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to enshrine a stricter neutrality definition in the constitution, preserving sanctions and NATO cooperation.
- More than 70% of voters rejected the measure, which would have required UN approval for sanctions and barred cooperation with military alliances.
- The initiative, backed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, was opposed by the federal government and all other major parties.
- Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said Switzerland has no plans to lift arms-sale restrictions, adding "neutrality does not mean indifference."
- Russia's foreign ministry praised the initiative after criticising Switzerland's adoption of EU sanctions.