Swiss voters reject stricter neutrality rules that would have curbed Nato cooperation

70% vote against tightening centuries-old neutrality, which far right said was being eroded by sanctions against Russia

Swiss voters have decisively rejected a proposal for a strict definition of neutrality that would have required Switzerland to curb cooperation with Nato and abandon sanctions against Russia.

All cantons and about 70% of voters rejected the proposal for a strictly defined version of neutrality to be ⁠written into the Swiss constitution, final results from the Federal Statistical Office showed. The motion had been promoted by the far-right Swiss People’s party (SVP).

Although the defeat was expected, it will be a relief across Europe, amid increasing strains in maintaining EU unity on sanctions against Russia.

Switzerland’s centuries-old neutrality was formally recognised after the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815. Critics of current government policy claim that status has been eroded by Switzerland’s decision to mirror EU sanctions against Russia, after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.