Five Swiss parties reject stricter neutrality initiative

Five major Swiss parties have warned that a proposed neutrality initiative would weaken the country and restrict its foreign policy, SRF reported on Monday.

The Social Democratic Party, FDP, Centre Party, Greens and Green Liberal Party are campaigning against the initiative ahead of the vote on September 27.

The cross party committee opposing the proposal said at a media conference in Bern that it would not solve an existing problem but would undermine Switzerland’s established neutrality. It argued that the initiative would threaten national security, conflict with Swiss values and significantly reduce the country’s ability to act in foreign policy.

The proposal, called the Safeguarding of Swiss Neutrality initiative, would require a stricter interpretation of neutrality. According to the committee, it would also limit cooperation with international partners, including military exercises.

The committee further argued that the initiative would largely rule out sanctions imposed outside the UN Security Council against states waging war.