Switzerland Rejects Stricter Interpretation of Its Neutrality
BBC News
Voters in Switzerland have overwhelmingly rejected a stricter interpretation of the country's tradition of diplomatic neutrality.
More than 70% of Swiss voters rejected proposals that would have prevented the European nation from imposing sanctions without UN approval, according to official results.
The move would have also prevented Switzerland from pursuing closer ties with the NATO military alliance.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has reopened the debate around Switzerland's centuries-old non-alignment. Moscow openly backed the initiative, which was supported by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) and opposed by the federal government and all other major parties.
Lukas Golder, co-director of research institute Gfs.bern, told Swiss public broadcaster SRF that Swiss voters had not rejected embracing its neutrality but that the vote showed Switzerland was in favour of sanctions against Russia.
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis stressed during a televised debate that "neutrality does not mean indifference". While Switzerland had no plans to lift a ban on selling arms to countries in conflict, including Ukraine, he added that "neutrality has always been applied with a degree of flexibility".
Switzerland's system of direct democracy means major political decisions are often deferred to the voters through referenda.