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Swiss voters reject tighter neutrality rules that would have curbed NATO cooperation
Early projections showed more than two-thirds of voters rejecting a plan that would have barred most sanctions and alliance cooperation.
Swiss voters rejected a proposal to impose a stricter definition of the country’s neutrality, with more than two-thirds voting against it, according to referendum projections.
The initiative would have restricted Switzerland from cooperating with NATO except in circumstances involving an attack or imminent attack.
It also sought to limit Switzerland’s ability to adopt economic sanctions, allowing them only when approved by the United Nations.
The Swiss People’s Party backed the initiative, arguing that Switzerland’s neutrality had been weakened by its sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
The government and most political parties opposed the proposal, arguing that the existing framework provides flexibility for security cooperation and sanctions while maintaining Swiss neutrality.
Early projections of today's referendum show that voters in Switzerland will reject a right-wing initiative calling for strict enforcement of the country's neutrality provisions.