Swiss Voters Reject Stricter Neutrality Rules in Referendum

On September 27, Swiss citizens voted to amend their constitution with stricter neutrality rules proposed by the far-right SVP party. The initiative would ban military alliances and sanctions unless approved by the UN or if Switzerland is attacked first. While polls showed a majority opposition—68% against—the proposal aims to prevent future conflicts involving Russia. However, critics labeled it "pro-Russian" because it restricts independent sanctioning powers currently used against Moscow. Government officials argued that existing neutrality already protects Swiss sovereignty and allows necessary security cooperation with NATO without formal alliance membership.