Poll shows Swiss voters likely to reject proposal to redefine neutrality
Nearly two thirds of respondents oppose a proposal to enshrine a stricter, “permanent and armed” neutrality in the constitution; a separate food‑security initiative also trails in the poll.
A media poll shows Swiss voters are likely to reject next month a citizens’ initiative that would rewrite the country’s neutrality in stricter terms, with nearly two thirds of respondents saying they oppose the measure.
The survey, carried out for the newspapers 20 Minuten and Tamedia, found broad opposition to the proposal across the political spectrum except among supporters of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
What the initiative would change
Backers want the constitution to define Swiss neutrality as “permanent and armed,” prohibiting Switzerland from joining or cooperating with military or defense alliances except in the case of an attack or an immediate threat of attack. The text would also ban participation in wars between third countries and bar the imposition of sanctions against parties to conflicts, except for United Nations sanctions and measures to prevent circumvention of those sanctions. The initiative would require Switzerland to use its neutrality to support mediation.
The federal government opposes the proposal. According to the poll, only SVP supporters clearly back the measure, while voters for other Swiss parties are decisively against it. The centre‑right FDP said the initiative would be harmful and could benefit aggressive states such as Russia.
“Banning Switzerland from supporting international efforts in response to blatant breaches of international law would in fact help to strengthen the camp of the aggressors. Switzerland must be on the side of peace, the rule of law and democracy — not on the side of autocrats,” said co‑president Benjamin Mileman.
The same survey also tested a second citizens’ initiative on food security, which proposes boosting domestic production, shifting consumption and farming toward more plant‑based food, and improving protection of drinking water, soils and biodiversity. That measure polled at 31 percent support and 65 percent opposition.
Swiss voters are set to go to the polls on 27 September to decide both initiatives; the poll suggests both are likely to be rejected.
Photo: press material from the event
