A group of activists with the support of the far-right Swiss People's Party collected signatures to hold a referendum on the country’s neutral status, which could lift the sanctions it has imposed against Russia.
The initiators of the referendum propose to enshrine in the Swiss constitution its status of “permanent, armed neutrality” and prohibit participation in any defense alliance unless the country is attacked.
It is also proposed to block the country from joining any "non-military coercive measures", which includes sanctions – unless they are approved by the UN Security Council.
Since Russia and China are permanent members of the Security Council, approval of the initiative will in practice mean that Switzerland will never be able to impose sanctions on them, because they will be able to block the corresponding decision in The UN with its veto power.
When exactly the referendum on Swiss neutrality will take place is still unclear. The constitution provides that the government and parliament must discuss issues and, if necessary, make counterproposals on the issue under consideration.
According to the publication, the entire process – right up to the referendum – may take several years.
Prepared by: Nina Petrovich