Switzerland rejects hard right push for stricter definition of neutrality

Voters rejected by 70.1 percent a proposal to enshrine a definition of neutrality in the Swiss constitution that was put forward in a referendum Sunday.

"This result is not a vote against neutrality. Switzerland was neutral yesterday, it is neutral today, and it will remain neutral in the future," Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told reporters following the outcome.

Switzerland's traditional position of armed neutrality has been recognised since the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815, though how it is implemented is not spelled out and up to the government.

But Russia's war in Ukraine has raised questions over how neutrality should be applied in modern conflicts, and a pro-sovereignty organization, Pro Switzerland, gathered enough signatures to put the question to a referendum.

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The government and most political parties opposed the proposal, which called for the constitution to guarantee that Swiss neutrality is "armed and perpetual".

It would have prevented Switzerland from pursuing closer ties with NATO, ruling out any military alliance except in the event of an attack on the country.

It would have also prohibited the imposition of sanctions unless called for by the United Nations.

The hard right Swiss People's Party (SVP), which funded a campaign in favour of the referendum, with posters urging people to vote "No war, yes to neutrality", featuring white peace doves, accepted the defeat and said it currently had no plans for further action.

Cassis said the rejection allows Switzerland to continue deciding on economic sanctions on a case-by-case basis and to cooperate with partners when doing so strengthens the country's security.

He stressed that Switzerland's security depends on the security of its neighbours and the European continent.

(with AFP, Reuters)