What does the neutrality initiative envisage, which will be voted on on 27 September?

It is an initiative supported by the UDC that urges Switzerland to “not meddle in the affairs of other countries”. It will be put to the vote on 27 September. The UDC promotes it as a defence of the values of Swiss independence and freedom, referring to the country's historical values of sovereignty and non-alignment.

How does a referendum on an international agreement in Switzerland work?

If there is no mandatory referendum, an optional referendum can be launched by collecting signatures from citizens. The CDU is preparing to oppose any agreement with the EU by personally collecting the addresses and subsequently the signatures necessary to call the referendum when each agreement is concluded.

What does the initiative on asylum promoted by the UDC provide for?

The initiative is titled “Stopping Abuses in Kindergarten! (Border Protection Initiative)". The UDC promotes it as a response to asylum and immigration policy, calling for a halt to immigration to Switzerland.

UDC prepares referendum against EU agreements (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 22 August 2026

Swiss political assembly with delegates debating referendums and international agreements with the EU

The UDC is preparing to launch referendums against the upcoming agreements between Switzerland and the EU. Marcel Dettling declares the will of the party to fight any agreement. Collecting signatures.

Context

In a nutshell

UDC prepares to launch referendum against Switzerland-EU agreements
Marcel Dettling: "The agreement with the EU is the most important vote of the coming years"
Collecting addresses in progress to obtain necessary signatures
Neutrality initiative will be voted on September 27

Key facts

What: UDC prepares referendum against EU agreements
When: Delegate meeting in Baar, today
Where: Baar, Canton Zug (ZG)
Who: Marcel Dettling, UDC President
Commitment: Contrast each agreement individually through referendums
Next deadline: Neutrality vote 27 September

The Centre-Democratic Union is mobilising against the forthcoming agreements between Switzerland and the European Union. During the delegates' assembly underway in Baar, canton Zug, President Marcel Dettling reiterated the party's determination to "fight any agreement between Switzerland and the EU". The party is preparing to launch several referendums to oppose each agreement individually. The strategy of the UDC is explicit: if there is no mandatory referendum on these agreements, the party will have to oppose any treaty with the EU through an optional referendum.

To this end, the UDC is already collecting addresses to obtain the necessary signatures. Dettling stressed the strategic importance of this battle, stating that "the agreement with the EU is the most important vote of the coming years". The party's commitment is total: an uncompromising demand

Operational details

How the UDC referendum strategy works

In Switzerland, international agreements can be submitted to referendums in two ways: mandatory or optional. A mandatory referendum is provided by the Constitution or by law for certain categories of agreements. An optional referendum, on the other hand, requires the collection of a minimum number of signatures by citizens to be called. The position of the UDC is explicit: the party will not rely solely on a possible mandatory referendum. If this does not exist for agreements with the EU, the UDC will oppose each treaty individually by means of an optional referendum, personally collecting the necessary signatures.

This strategy means that each agreement will potentially be put to a popular vote with a major mobilisation of resources by the party. Ongoing preliminary preparation (address collection) allows the party to act quickly when an agreement is actually concluded and submitted to the Federal Parliament.

The political context: UDC in the minority?

Dettling made it clear that the UDC perceives itself to be in the minority with respect to the dominant political and economic forces in Switzerland. According to him, a converging “majority” (Federal Council, other parties, trade unions and economic and professional associations) pushes towards integration with the EU. This perception of isolation explains the strategic choice of the

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Key points

How Swiss foreign policy referendums work

When a party, organization, or group of citizens wishes to launch an optional referendum on a federal law or international agreement, they must collect a minimum number of signatures within a set deadline. Once signatures are gathered and verified by the Federal Chancellery, a vote is scheduled within a defined timeframe. Referendums allow Swiss citizens to directly vote on decisions made by the Federal Parliament, whether domestic laws or international treaties.

In the specific case of EU agreements, the SVP is collecting contact details (citizens' contact information) to prepare rapid signature drives once an agreement is finalized and ready for parliamentary ratification. This preliminary organizational process is standard practice in Switzerland, where referendums are frequent and serve as a regular tool for democratic oversight.

The September 27 deadline: first electoral test

September 27 marks a crucial date in the national political calendar. On this day, Swiss citizens will vote on the neutrality initiative supported by the SVP. This ballot will significantly gauge electorate support for foreign policy and sovereignty issues—the core themes in the SVP's battle against EU agreements. If the initiative gains popular backing, it would signal favorable momentum for the party's future referendum campaigns against European treaties. Conversely, a defeat would not discourage the SVP, which has already declared its firm intention to challenge each agreement individually.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the neutrality initiative envisage, which will be voted on on 27 September?: It is an initiative supported by the UDC that urges Switzerland to “not meddle in the affairs of other countries”. It will be put to the vote on 27 September. The UDC promotes it as a defence of the values of Swiss independence and freedom, referring to the country's historical values of sovereignty and non-alignment.
What agreements does the UDC want to oppose with the referendums?: The CDU opposes any agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. According to President Marcel Dettling, the agreement with the EU represents "the most important vote of the coming years". The party is collecting guidelines to launch referendums against these agreements and to oppose each treaty individually through optional referendums.
How does a referendum on an international agreement in Switzerland work?: If there is no mandatory referendum, an optional referendum can be launched by collecting signatures from citizens. The CDU is preparing to oppose any agreement with the EU by personally collecting the addresses and subsequently the signatures necessary to call the referendum when each agreement is concluded.
Who supports the UDC's position and who opposes it?: According to President Dettling, opponents of the UDC line include "the majority of the Federal Council, other parties, trade unions and economic and professional associations", which he says "want to push Switzerland into the arms of the EU". The UDC feels in the minority on this issue.
What does the initiative on asylum promoted by the UDC provide for?: The initiative is titled “Stopping Abuses in Kindergarten! (Border Protection Initiative)". The UDC promotes it as a response to asylum and immigration policy, calling for a halt to immigration to Switzerland.