Swiss voters set to reject tighter neutrality rules that would curb NATO cooperation

ZURICH — Swiss voters on Sunday looked set to reject a proposal to adopt a more restrictive form of neutrality that ⁠would have blocked their country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO.

More than two-thirds voted against a proposal for a strictly defined version of neutrality to be written into the Swiss constitution, according to the latest referendum projections by state broadcaster SRF.

While Swiss neutrality has been internationally ⁠recognised since the end of the Napoleonic wars in ​1815, ⁠how the government implements it is not spelled out.

The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has said that Switzerland’s traditional position has been eroded after Bern imposed sanctions ⁠on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

The campaign has funded posters across the ​country ⁠urging people to vote “No war, yes ‌to neutrality”, featuring white peace doves ahead of the vote.

Still, opinion polls suggest voters will reject the proposal, with one of the latest surveys showing 68% against with 31% ‌in favour.

Fabio Wasserfallen, ‌a professor of European politics at the University of Bern, said: “Swiss voters like neutrality, but they approve of how the government is implementing it at present.

“They are also generally in favour of the…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business