Summary: The Neutrality Initiative is built on four pillars: (1) Permanent neutrality as a constitutional principle, (2) Prohibition of military alliances, (3) Prohibition of non-military coercive measures, and (4) Constitutional obligation to mediate. Each pillar is analysed here with the arguments of both supporters and opponents.
Today, neutrality is mentioned in the FC only as a task (Art. 173/185 FC), not as an independent principle. The initiative seeks to enshrine it in the section "Foreign Affairs" (Art. 54a) [1].
Art. 54a para. 2 prohibits accession to military or defence alliances. Sole exception: cooperation in the event of a direct attack on Switzerland [1].
This is the most controversial part of the initiative. Art. 54a para. 3 prohibits economic sanctions against belligerent states [1].
Exceptions:
Consequence: The EU sanctions against Russia adopted in 2022 would no longer be possible.
Art. 54a para. 4 obliges Switzerland to actively engage in conflict prevention and mediation. Today, Good Offices are a political tradition but not a constitutional obligation [1].
[1] Federal Chancellery (2024). Federal Popular Initiative "Safeguarding Swiss Neutrality".
Swiss Federal Chancellery. [Open Access]
[2] neutralitaet-ja.ch (2024). Argumentarium.
Initiative committee. [Open Access] Note: Position paper of the initiative committee
[3] Tagesanzeiger (2024). "Narrowing the concept of neutrality is gross folly".
Tagesanzeiger. [Open Access]
[4] European Movement Switzerland (2024). Our response to the Neutrality Initiative.
European Movement Switzerland. [Open Access] Note: Advocacy position, not a neutral source
[5] SP Switzerland (2024). "The Neutrality Initiative is a pro-Putin initiative".
SP Switzerland. [Open Access] Note: Position paper of the SP
Last updated: March 2026