Switzerland Votes on Tighter Neutrality Rules

Swiss citizens are voting in a referendum on Sunday, September 27, to decide whether to enshrine a stricter definition of their country's long-standing neutrality in the constitution. The initiative, proposed by the nationalist-conservative organization 'For Switzerland' (Pro Schweiz) and supported by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), aims to prevent Switzerland from joining any military or defense alliance, cooperating with such alliances, imposing sanctions on warring states, or participating in military conflicts between third countries, except in the event of military attack or imminent threat of attack. The Swiss government and major parties oppose the initiative, arguing that it would harm the country's interests and limit its flexibility in applying neutrality. Polls suggest that citizens will reject this initiative.