Swiss reject tighter neutrality rules in referendum backed by right-wing populist party

Swiss voters have decisively rejected a constitutional proposal to adopt a strictly defined version of neutrality that would have limited cooperation with NATO and required the abandonment of sanctions against Russia. According to latest referendum projections, more than two-thirds—approximately 70 percent—voted against tightening the centuries-old neutrality rules.

The initiative had been pushed by the far right, who argued that Switzerland's traditional neutrality was being eroded by measures such as the sanctions imposed on Russia. The rejection maintains the country's current policy framework, allowing ongoing NATO cooperation and sanction enforcement to remain intact.