April 12, 2024 (EIRNS)—The “Neutrality Initiative,” formed by the “Pro Schweiz” group and the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), filed a petition yesterday, which 133,000 citizens have now signed, for a national referendum to restore the country’s strict neutrality status. Article 54 of the national constitution is to be changed to state the following four points:
1. Swiss neutrality is a perpetual, armed and comprehensive (integral) neutrality
2. Switzerland does not join any military or defense alliance. The Federal Constitution now restricts cooperation with such military organizations to the case of a concrete attack on Switzerland.
3. Participation in foreign wars, in particular through non-military coercive measures, is restricted.
4. The initiative obliges Switzerland to use its special status—thanks to Swiss neutrality—to mediate conflicts, and to prevent or resolve them (so-called good offices).
The initiators of the petition—which is backed by the Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd, who is now President, as well (rotating every year), want to make sure that the present government abstains from an orientation towards the NATO position in the Ukraine conflict on sanctions, and on military aid, which runs against the principle of strict neutrality of the country. The Swiss Greens are opposing the petition.
