Neutrality initiative: Federal Council rejects rigid interpretation and upholds established practice in line with national interest

“Does Switzerland need a new form of neutrality?” Mr Cassis asked the media, highlighting the key question of the 27 September 2026 referendum. No, say the Federal Council and Parliament. “Not because we want less neutrality, but because our existing neutrality has proved its worth,” he added.

For over 180 years, neutrality has been used as a tool in the service of Switzerland: it protects the country’s freedom, security and independence. “It has proved its worth, not because it was rigid, but because it was applied wisely and responsibly,” said Mr Cassis. He had recently seen the original document of the Hague Conventions in The Hague. These set out how a neutral state is to conduct itself towards belligerent states. “Even back then, in 1907, neutrality was not understood as a rigid set of rules,” he pointed out. “It is precisely the ability to respond appropriately to new challenges that has made our neutrality strong.”

The initiative, on the other hand, calls for a more restrictive concept of neutrality. It seeks to enshrine in the constitution that Switzerland’s neutrality is “perpetual” and armed. Switzerland is not to join any military or defence alliance, nor is it to cooperate with any such alliance – except where it is under military attack or where such an attack is being prepared. Furthermore, it must not participate in military conflicts between third countries nor impose sanctions against belligerent states. The exception would be UN sanctions and measures designed to prevent sanctions from being circumvented. Ultimately, Switzerland should use its neutrality in its role as a mediator.

Many of these requirements are already met. For instance, neutrality is already enshrined in the Federal Constitution (Articles 173 and 185). It is internationally recognised – first in the Treaty of Paris of 1815 – and is codified in international law in the Hague Conventions. On this basis, as a permanently neutral state, Switzerland is already not a member of any military or defence alliances (such as NATO). It likewise refrains from participating in military conflicts between third countries and in the present day already uses its neutrality in its role as a mediator and to promote peace.

Security policy cooperation is important for Switzerland’s security

Where the initiative goes beyond current practice, it harms Switzerland’s interests. “The initiative considerably restricts security policy cooperation,” stated Mr Cassis, emphasising that such cooperation cannot be initiated only in the event of a crisis – it must be prepared in advance: “Anyone who waits until the crisis is already here before they are willing to cooperate is too late.”

State Secretary Markus Mäder, head of the State Secretariat for Security Policy at the DDPS, underscored at the press conference that Switzerland can only successfully defend itself against threats and dangers through international cooperation: “We need it to improve our own defence capabilities. And we need it so that, in the most extreme of emergencies, we have the option of defending ourselves effectively alongside other states.” The law on neutrality sets clear limits in this regard. Within these limits, Switzerland currently cooperates with many capable partners, “and benefits enormously from this in terms of its own security,” underlined Mr Mäder. Although it may promise more security, “the rigid practice of neutrality that the initiative seeks to enshrine in the constitution would weaken Switzerland’s defence capabilities.”

The initiative would also restrict the ability to impose sanctions on belligerent states. The adoption of sanctions is compatible with neutrality. “Today, the Federal Council decides on a case-by-case basis,” said Mr Cassis. “Neutrality does not require an automatic response; it requires us to take responsibility and weigh up our interests.”

According to Ambassador Simon Plüss, head of Export Controls, Investment Screening and Sanctions at SECO, Switzerland’s sanctions enable the country to respond to serious violations of international law. “This allows Switzerland to preserve its neutrality while at the same time assuming responsibility for the international legal order,” he said. The neutrality initiative would mark a shift in security policy that would be clearly noticed in Europe. “If Switzerland fails to cooperate with other European countries within the scope of the law of neutrality, this is likely to cast even greater doubt on its reliability as a supplier of defence equipment, with the result that other European countries might cease to procure such equipment from Switzerland,” warned Mr Plüss.