Pacifism vs neutrality: Buzzi's no to the UDC (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

-Member Verdi Buzzi criticizes UDC initiative on armed neutrality in the Constitution

• Proposes unarmed civil defense instead of military rearmament
• Calls for a NO vote on the federal initiative

Key facts

• Who: Matteo Buzzi, Verdi MP, Gran Consiglio, Locarno
• What: Critical UDC initiative on armed neutrality in the Constitution (paragraph 1)
• Historical: Initiatives "For a Switzerland without an army" in 1989 and 2001
• Proposal: Non-armed and non-violent civil defence, international cooperation
• Territory: Swiss Federal Initiative, national impact

Matteo Buzzi, deputy of the Greens in the Grand Council in Locarno, accuses the Democratic Union of the Centre of betraying Swiss pacifism. The UDC initiative introduces the concept of 'armed neutrality' in paragraph 1 of the Constitution. A choice, according to Buzzi, that goes in the opposite direction from the traditional pacifism that has characterized the Swiss movement for decades.

True pacifism is not defended with weapons. For decades, the Swiss peace movement has pursued a clear idea: a Switzerland without an army, capable of building its security on cooperation, international law, solidarity between peoples and non-violent civil defence. Those who voted for the "For a Switzerland without an army" initiatives in 1989 and 2001 did so precisely for this reason — not rifles, missiles, cannons and combat aircraft, but disarmament, diplomacy and non-violent instruments.

The initiative

Operational details

A radically different model emerges from Buzzi's proposal: a non-armed and non-violent civil defense. It is not a new vision. In Italy, it has been discussed for some time, from the insights of Aldo Capitini and Alexander Langer to the 'Civil Peace Corps' and proposals for a Non-Armed and Non-Violent Civil Defense, oriented towards preventing conflicts and protecting populations without resorting to weapons.

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Key points

The choice between armed neutrality and pacifist neutrality is not abstract. It directly impacts the allocation of public funds, Swiss foreign policy and Switzerland's position in the global international context.

What armed neutrality would mean

If the UDC initiative were to pass, the Constitution would crystallize the concept of armed neutrality as a fundamental principle of the State. This would not mean an immediate change in spending, but establishes an ideological anchor that would further foster a spiral of rearmament. Buzzi points out that the UDC is already the main supporter of the ongoing rearmament, which absorbs huge financial resources. These resources could instead be invested in diplomacy, international cooperation and solidarity programmes towards countries in conflict, reducing Switzerland's vulnerability to geopolitical pressures.

The civil defense model

The pacifist alternative is not the absence of defence, but 'different defence': defence through civil and non-violent means. Buzzi cites the model of Unarmed and Nonviolent Civil Defense, which has been debated for decades in Italy and internationally. This model does not mean completely abolishing security institutions, but redirecting them towards civilian functions, protection of the population and conflict prevention. Specifically, it entails:

• Investing in diplomacy and international mediation
• Enhance cooperation

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Source: tio.ch