What do you vote for on 27 September in Switzerland?

A popular initiative calling for a comprehensive definition of neutrality to be included in the Federal Constitution is being voted on. The initiative was filed in April 2024 with over 132,000 valid signatures and is the first item on the federal voting agenda. Any yes would make neutrality a rigid principle anchored in the Constitution, with the exception of sanctions ordered by the United Nations, of which Switzerland has been a member since 2002.

What sanctions would be prohibited by the initiative?

Neutrality would also be extended to non-military coercive measures against belligerent States: the adoption of non-UN sanctions would therefore become precluded. Measures aimed at preventing the circumvention, through Switzerland, of sanctions imposed by other States would remain permitted. In practice, the possibility, currently existing, of resuming the sanctions decided by the EU against Russia after the aggression against Ukraine would be lost.

Who is opposed to the initiative and why?

The Federal Council and the Federal Chambers spoke out against the initiative with clear majorities, defending the current room for manoeuvre in terms of neutrality, albeit delimited by international and domestic law. They argue that the rigid definition provided for by the text would result in a restriction of the options available to the Confederation and recall the mediation role and good offices made possible precisely by the current flexibility.

What would change for military cooperation?

The text would constitutionalise the prohibition of collaboration with defensive alliances, excluding membership in military alliances. The Constitution would directly establish the possibility of cooperating only in the event of aggression against Switzerland or preparatory acts, as already provided for by international law for the defence of the country.

What happens if the initiative is rejected?

The legal framework would remain unchanged: the current room for manoeuvre, albeit delimited by international and domestic law, would continue to allow the Confederation to decide from time to time whether and what non-UN sanctions to adopt and what forms of security cooperation to undertake. The practical consequences would not be immediate, however, because any constitutional changes follow the timing of the federal system.

Neutrality in the Constitution: on September 27 the federal vote (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 30 August 2026

Swiss federal ballot envelope on an apartment table in Switzerland

Initiative filed in April 2024 with over 132,000 valid signatures. EU sanctions and military cooperation in the sights of the promoters.

Context

In a nutshell

Federal vote on September 27: vote on the neutrality initiative
Filed in April 2024 with over 132,000 valid signatures
The text calls for the shielding of neutrality in the Federal Constitution
EU sanctions resumed after the Russian aggression on Ukraine would become difficult

Key facts

What: Popular initiative to include a comprehensive definition of neutrality in the Federal Constitution
When: Federal vote on September 27; filing of signatures April 2024
Where: Switzerland, first item on the federal voting agenda
Who: Promoters of the initiative; Federal Council and Federal Chambers (against)
Signatures collected: over 132,000 valid signatures
UN context: Switzerland has been a member of the UN since 2002
Exception provided: sanctions ordered by the United Nations would remain allowed
Military cooperation: possible only in the event of aggression or preparatory acts against Switzerland

On September 27, the Swiss electoral body will be called upon to express itself on a foreign policy issue that touches on one of the historical cornerstones of the Confederation: neutrality. The popular initiative, filed in April 2024 with over 132,000 valid signatures collected in support, is the first item on the federal voting agenda.

Neutrality is a principle consolidated over centuries and enshrined in the nineteenth century first by international law and then by the Federal Constitution. It has a permanent nature and

Operational details

What would change in practice

The promoters of the initiative judge the resumption of EU sanctions against Russia as a violation of the duty of neutrality and fear a rapprochement with the EU and NATO, with possible drifts towards military dependencies and conflicts. In the field of sanctions, the activists argue that these rarely affect those directly responsible for conflicts, while the effects are often suffered by civilian populations, between deprivation and reduction to hunger. Switzerland, consistent with its humanitarian vocation, should therefore not adhere to coercive measures that burden the innocent. Supporters underline the turbulence of the current international framework and the value of a proven neutrality for conflict prevention and the promotion of peace.

The Federal Council and the Chambers, which voted against the initiative with clear majorities, defend the current margin of manoeuvre in terms of neutrality and recall how it is in any case delimited by international and domestic law. The rigid definition provided for by the text would result in a restriction of the options available to the Confederation.

Opponents point out that the initiative makes demands that, in several respects, are already reflected in the practice followed by the Confederation: what makes the difference, however, are the restrictions provided for in the field of sanctions and cooperation. Switzerland, thanks to its position of

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Key points

How to prepare for the vote

The federal vote on 27 September requires informed preparation on the part of voters. Here is a concrete three-step procedure.

1. Read the exact wording. The text of the initiative is published on the website of the Federal Chancellery, together with the Federal Council's message and the opinions of the parliamentary chambers. Reading the full text is the first step to understanding what would change in the Constitution and which articles would be amended or added.

2. Compare the positions. Supporters and opponents publish their arguments on dedicated websites and in the booklets distributed to voters. The recommendations of parties and of business and trade union associations also help frame the issue. For those living in a bilingual canton or near the border, the positions taken by regional business organisations can offer a local perspective.

3. Check the voting procedure. Voting methods vary by canton and commune: postal voting, in-person voting, or electronic voting where available. It is advisable to check the deadlines for sending in the voting material and, in the case of voting from abroad, the rules provided for Swiss citizens abroad registered with the commune of last residence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do you vote for on 27 September in Switzerland?: A popular initiative calling for a comprehensive definition of neutrality to be included in the Federal Constitution is being voted on. The initiative was filed in April 2024 with over 132,000 valid signatures and is the first item on the federal voting agenda. Any yes would make neutrality a rigid principle anchored in the Constitution, with the exception of sanctions ordered by the United Nations, of which Switzerland has been a member since 2002.
What sanctions would be prohibited by the initiative?: Neutrality would also be extended to non-military coercive measures against belligerent States: the adoption of non-UN sanctions would therefore become precluded. Measures aimed at preventing the circumvention, through Switzerland, of sanctions imposed by other States would remain permitted. In practice, the possibility, currently existing, of resuming the sanctions decided by the EU against Russia after the aggression against Ukraine would be lost.
Who is opposed to the initiative and why?: The Federal Council and the Federal Chambers spoke out against the initiative with clear majorities, defending the current room for manoeuvre in terms of neutrality, albeit delimited by international and domestic law. They argue that the rigid definition provided for by the text would result in a restriction of the options available to the Confederation and recall the mediation role and good offices made possible precisely by the current flexibility.
What would change for military cooperation?: The text would constitutionalise the prohibition of collaboration with defensive alliances, excluding membership in military alliances. The Constitution would directly establish the possibility of cooperating only in the event of aggression against Switzerland or preparatory acts, as already provided for by international law for the defence of the country.
What happens if the initiative is rejected?: The legal framework would remain unchanged: the current room for manoeuvre, albeit delimited by international and domestic law, would continue to allow the Confederation to decide from time to time whether and what non-UN sanctions to adopt and what forms of security cooperation to undertake. The practical consequences would not be immediate, however, because any constitutional changes follow the timing of the federal system.