Swiss Head for Neutrality Vote After Adopting Russia Sanctions
- Campaigners claim enough signatures to hold plebescite
- They say long-standing neutrality position is being undermined
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Switzerland is heading for a popular vote on its long-standing neutrality amid a debate ignited by the the country’s decision to sanction Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Activists and the country’s right-wing People’s Party, the largest in parliament, want to enshrine the position of permanent, armed neutrality in the constitution. In addition to preventing Switzerland taking part in any military alliance, the initiative also wants to block participation in non-military coercive measures, which would include sanctions.