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[POLITICS] · Switzerland · 14 sources

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Part of situation: Swiss voters reject stricter neutrality referendum (15 clusters)

Switzerland to vote on constitutional neutrality initiative

Swiss neutrality initiative Pro Switzerland Swiss referendum armed neutrality VAT increase

Swiss voters are set to decide on a controversial referendum on September 27 regarding the country's neutrality. The 'Neutrality Initiative,' launched by the association Pro Switzerland and supported by the Swiss People's Party, seeks to enshrine a strict definition of 'armed and perpetual' neutrality in the constitution. This would prohibit Switzerland from joining or cooperating with military alliances like NATO and restrict the adoption of sanctions against warring states, unless mandated by the United Nations.

Recent polling suggests the initiative faces a significant defeat, with multiple surveys indicating that over 60% of voters intend to reject the proposal. Opponents argue that a rigid constitutional definition could limit Switzerland's international cooperation and diplomatic flexibility, especially following the country's decision to adopt EU sanctions against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.

In a separate but related matter, the Council of States has validated a project to fund military spending through a proposed VAT increase and the creation of an armament fund. The GSsA has expressed categorical opposition to this plan, arguing that the tax increase unfairly impacts the population to fund military programs without concrete planning.

Entities

Christoph Blocher · Council of States · Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport · GSsA · Graubünden · Jean-Daniel Ruch · Pro Switzerland · Swiss Federal Council · Swiss People's Party · Switzerland

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Council of States has approved a plan to finance military expenditures via an armament fund and a VAT increase. gssa.ch
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Recent polls indicate that over 60% of voters intend to reject the neutrality initiative. www.euronews.com · brusselssignal.eu · www.in.gr
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The initiative was launched in November 2022 by the association Pro Switzerland (Pro Schweiz) and collected 129,806 valid signatures. www.euronews.com · brusselssignal.eu
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Voters in the Canton of Graubünden will vote on whether to lower the voting and election age from 18 to 16. piudemocraziaintrentino.org
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The initiative seeks to define Swiss neutrality as 'armed and perpetual' within the constitution. www.euronews.com · brusselssignal.eu
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The GSsA is in categorical opposition to the proposed armament fund and the VAT increase. gssa.ch
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The proposal would prohibit Switzerland from joining or cooperating with military alliances like NATO unless facing an imminent attack. brusselssignal.eu · www.euronews.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The initiative would ban sanctions against warring states, with the exception of those mandated by the United Nations. brusselssignal.eu · www.euronews.com

Sources

Nein zur Neutralitätsinitiative [bibo.ch]
Švajcarci u nedjelju na referendumu: Kakva će biti neutralnost? [srpskacafe.com]
Berne gouverne contre la volonté du peuple qu’elle prétend servir [groupegaullistesceaux.fr]
Il paravento della neutralità [naufraghi.ch]
Swiss voters set to reject bid to lock neutrality into constitution [brusselssignal.eu]
Le GSsA rejette catégoriquement le financement du réarmement par la TVA [gssa.ch]
Ελβετία: Η ουδετερότητα, πυλώνας της ελβετικής ταυτότητας, τίθεται σε ψηφοφορία | in. gr [www.in.gr]
Svizzera al voto domenica sulla neutralità «perpetua» che azzererebbe le sanzioni a Mosca: il no al 63% [www.notiziegeopolitiche.net]
Si vota oltre le Alpi sulla neutralità svizzera [www.ossolanews.it]
Domenica si vota in Svizzera. E nei Grigioni anche i 16enni sono al centro della democrazia [piudemocraziaintrentino.org]
Η ουδετερότητα, πυλώνας της ελβετικής ταυτότητας, τίθεται σε ψηφοφορία [dialogos.com.cy]
La Svizzera al voto per irrigidire la sua neutralità: cosa prevede il referendum e cosa c’entra la Russia [www.litaliano.it]
İsviçre'de katı tarafsızlık girişimi için seçmenler 27 Eylül'de sandık başına gidiyor [www.sondakika.com]
Swiss expected to shun writing stricter neutrality in constitution [www.euronews.com]