ZURICH: The Swiss government on Tuesday rejected a rigid interpretation of the country’s neutrality which campaigners want to enshrine in the constitution if they win a referendum next month.
Campaigners say Swiss neutrality, which dates back to the end of the Napoleonic Wars, has been stretched after Bern imposed economic sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and also sealed closer ties with NATO in areas such as training.
Currently the Swiss constitution has no fixed definition of neutrality, which campaigners want to replace with a pledge that Swiss neutrality will be perpetual and armed, and that the country would not join any military alliances.
They also want to guarantee that Switzerland does not take part in conflicts between third countries or impose sanctions against warring countries unless decided by the United Nations.
Campaigners gathered more than 100,000 signatures to trigger the vote, which takes place under the Swiss tradition of direct democracy. If approved, the constitution would have to be amended.
