Switzerland rejects bid to enshrine permanent neutrality in Constitution

Swiss voters have rejected an initiative aimed at preserving the country’s neutrality, which proposed enshrining the principle of permanent and comprehensive neutrality in the Constitution, lifting anti-Russian sanctions and banning Switzerland from joining NATO.

According to preliminary results published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, 69.99% of voters rejected the initiative, while 30.01% supported it. Voter turnout stood at 47.14%.

The initiative required a double majority of both voters and cantons to pass. Since 13 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, including three half-cantons, have already rejected the proposal, it is considered defeated. Final results are expected later in the evening.

By Jeyhun Aghazada