Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Swiss government rejects rigid neutrality definition ahead of referendum
Switzerland is a country in Europe that has a special promise: it stays out of wars between other countries.
This is called being neutral.
Some people think this promise should be written in the country's most important rule book, the constitution.
They want to make sure Switzerland is always neutral and always ready to defend itself.
They also want Switzerland to never join military groups or punish other countries, unless the United Nations says so.
These people gathered more than 100,000 signatures, so everyone in Switzerland gets to vote on the idea.
The vote will happen on September 27.
The Swiss government says the country is already neutral, so this new rule is not needed.
The person in charge of foreign affairs, Ignazio Cassis, said the rule would make it harder for Switzerland to work with other countries to stay safe.
A poll shows more people are against the idea than for it.
The Swiss government rejected a rigid interpretation of neutrality that campaigners want to enshrine in the constitution.
Campaigners want Swiss neutrality to be perpetual and armed, with no military alliances and no sanctions on warring countries unless decided by the United Nations.
More than 100,000 signatures triggered the referendum, which is backed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party and set for September 27.
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said the current approach works, adding that 'Switzerland has been and is neutral, and it will remain neutral.'
A Tamedia poll in June found 34% of people in favour of the initiative and 54% against.
- Who
- Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and the federal government, opposed by a campaign backed by the Swiss People's Party.
- What
- The government rejected an initiative to write a perpetual, armed neutrality pledge into the Swiss constitution.
- When
- August 11 (government announcement); the referendum is scheduled for September 27.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- The government argues current neutrality is internationally recognized and a rigid definition would restrict security cooperation; campaigners say sanctions on Russia and closer NATO ties stretched neutrality.
Government (against the initiative)
Campaigners / Swiss People's Party (for the initiative)
Writing neutrality into the constitution
Government (against the initiative)
No constitutional change is needed; Switzerland has been, is, and will remain neutral, and its neutrality is already internationally recognized.
Campaigners / Swiss People's Party (for the initiative)
Neutrality should be guaranteed in the constitution as perpetual and armed so it cannot be altered.
Sanctions on warring countries
Government (against the initiative)
The current approach preserves Switzerland's room to manoeuvre, including the ability to impose measures like the sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
Campaigners / Swiss People's Party (for the initiative)
Switzerland should not impose sanctions on warring countries unless decided by the United Nations; campaigners say such sanctions stretched neutrality.
Security cooperation with foreign powers
Government (against the initiative)
Security policy cooperation must be prepared in advance; as Cassis said, 'Anyone who waits until the crisis is already here before they are willing to cooperate is too late.'
Campaigners / Swiss People's Party (for the initiative)
Cooperation with foreign powers should only be allowed if Switzerland is attacked or such an attack is being prepared.
- Country
- Switzerland
- Government position
- Rejected rigid neutrality definition; current approach is internationally recognized
- Referendum date
- September 27
- Backing party
- Swiss People's Party
- Signatures gathered
- More than 100,000
- Poll results (Tamedia, June)
- 34% in favour, 54% against
- Foreign Minister
- Ignazio Cassis
- Campaigners' demands
- Perpetual, armed neutrality; no military alliances; no sanctions unless decided by the United Nations