Government Federal Council says no to the neutrality initiative
The Federal Council does not want to enshrine Switzerland's perpetual armed neutrality in the constitution. It is proposing that the so-called neutrality initiative be rejected and does not intend to put forward a counter-proposal.
26.06.2024, 11:35
26.06.2024, 11:47
SDA
The popular initiative "Safeguarding Swiss neutrality" (neutrality initiative) is intended to enshrine neutrality and the way it is handled in the Federal Constitution. Under the new constitutional provision, Switzerland would no longer be allowed to take sanctions against belligerent states, among other things.
The Federal Council is not in favor of this. It is proposing that the petition for a referendum be rejected - and does not intend to draw up a counter-proposal, as it announced on Wednesday. It is of the opinion that the current regulation and practice of neutrality has proven its worth. A clear change of course in Swiss neutrality is not indicated.
Criticism of sanctions policy
The Pro Switzerland group and exponents of the SVP submitted their neutrality initiative in Bern in mid-April with almost 130,000 valid signatures. The initiative was launched in November 2022, a few months after the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Shortly after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the majority of the Federal Council adopted the EU sanctions against Russia "headlessly and contrary to neutrality", the initiators criticized. The initiative has also received encouragement from what the committee describes as the "full steam ahead rapprochement with NATO" by Defense Minister Viola Amherd.
