Neutrality initiative: cross-party committee calls for rejection

A cross-party committee bringing together FDP.The Liberals, the Centre, the Green Liberal Party, the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party opposes the neutrality initiative, which goes to a nationwide vote on 27 September. The text is backed by Pro Svizzera and by some members of the Swiss People's Party. According to the committee, the initiative would limit Switzerland's room for manoeuvre in foreign policy and endanger the country's security.

The initiative calls for a definition of neutrality to be written into the Constitution. Switzerland would not be able to join any military or defence alliance, except in the event of a direct attack on the country. The Confederation would also have to renounce sanctions against warring states, unless these are decided by the UN. A measure such as the one adopted against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine would no longer be possible in future, except with the backing of the United Nations.

Consequences for security

According to the cross-party committee, the initiative would reduce cooperation with international partners. Joint exercises, the exchange of specialist knowledge and preparation for new threats, such as cyberattacks, would only be possible in the event of an imminent attack on Switzerland. The committee sees this as a concrete limit on the country's ability to prepare in advance.

National Councillor Cyril Aellen, of FDP.The Liberals, stresses that defence capability must be built up in advance: "Quando si verifica un'emergenza è troppo tardi per costruire la capacità di difesa" (When an emergency occurs, it is too late to build defence capability). Given growing instability in Europe, Aellen says Switzerland cannot afford to weaken its defence capabilities.

The initiative is backed by the initiative committee, made up of Pro Svizzera and members of the Swiss People's Party, by the Swiss People's Party as a whole, and by the Swiss Party of Labour. Opposing the text are the Federal Council, Parliament and the cross-party committee, which brings together a broad range of political forces: from the Social Democrats to the Greens and the Green Liberals, via the Centre to FDP.The Liberals.