Neutrality initiative puts Switzerland's security at risk (cross-border guide)

Context

The neutrality initiative puts Switzerland's security at risk

The neutrality initiative, which will be voted on on 27 September, greatly limits Switzerland's ability to act on foreign policy and endangers our security. This is what an interparty committee formed by the PLR, Centro, Liberal Greens, PS and Greens believes, which calls on the people and cantons to reject a text promoted by Pro Switzerland and some members of the UDC.

Neutrality is a concept that dates back to the end of the Second World War and has been maintained by Switzerland as a fundamental principle of its foreign policy. However, the initiative in question aims to further limit Switzerland's ability to act on foreign policy, making it difficult for the Swiss government to make strategic decisions and maintain its independence.

A concrete example of how this initiative can endanger the security of Switzerland is the issue of the war in Ukraine. If Switzerland did not have the capacity to act on foreign policy, it would not be able to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees or make strategic decisions for its national security.

According to a report by the Foreign Policy Committee, Switzerland has already lost its ability to act on foreign policy because of this initiative. In particular, the report cites the case of the Swiss nuclear power plant, in which

Operational details

The neutrality initiative severely limits Switzerland’s ability to act on foreign policy and endangers our security. This is the belief of an inter-party committee—FDP, Center, Liberal Greens, Social Democrats, and the Greens—which is calling on the people and cantons to reject a proposal promoted by Pro Schweiz and some members of the Swiss People’s Party.

 The request for constitutional amendment advocates including a definition of neutrality in the fundamental charter, requiring Switzerland not to join any military or defense alliance except in the event of a direct attack against the country. This means that Switzerland would no longer be able to participate in peacekeeping or humanitarian relief missions, such as the UN mission in Lebanon, which also involved Switzerland with the participation of a contingent of soldiers.

 Furthermore, the initiative stipulates that Switzerland would not be able to join common defense treaties, such as the European Union’s Treaty of Lisbon, which guarantees solidarity and cooperation among member states in the event of an attack. This would mean Switzerland would be excluded from a common security network, leaving it vulnerable to potential threats.

 Switzerland is a country with a long tradition of neutrality, but this does not mean it should abandon the protection of its security and sovereignty. Neutrality must be maintained, but not at the expense of its ability to act in foreign and defense policy.

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Key points

As far as security is concerned, the initiative would greatly limit collaboration with our international partners: in the future, joint exercises, exchange of specialist knowledge and preparation for new threats, such as cyber-attacks, would only be possible in the event that an attack on Switzerland was imminent.

“When an emergency occurs it is too late to build defence capacity,” says national adviser Cyril Aellen (PLR), according to whom in light of the growing instability of the situation in Europe, Switzerland must not weaken its defence capacity.

Switzerland has always enjoyed a unique position in Europe, thanks to its policy of neutrality. However, the neutrality initiative could put Switzerland's security at risk, especially in a context of increasing instability.

According to data from the Ministry of Defense, Switzerland invested over 5 billion Swiss francs (CHF) in 2022 to modernize its armed forces. However, the neutrality initiative could limit Switzerland's ability to work with other European countries to address common threats.

Switzerland is an active member of the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. The neutrality initiative could jeopardise Switzerland's ability to meet its international obligations.

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Source: tio.ch