ZURICH — Swiss voters on Sunday looked set to reject a proposal to adopt a more restrictive form of neutrality that would have blocked their country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO.
\n\nMore than two-thirds voted against a proposal for a strictly defined version of neutrality to be written into the Swiss constitution, according to the latest referendum projections by state broadcaster SRF.
\n\nWhile Swiss neutrality has been internationally recognised since the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815, how the government implements it is not spelled out.
\n\nThe right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has said that Switzerland’s traditional position has been eroded after Bern imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
\n\nThe campaign has funded posters across the country urging people to vote “No war, yes to neutrality”, featuring white peace doves ahead of the vote.
\n\nStill, opinion polls suggest voters will reject the proposal, with one of the latest surveys showing 68% against with 31% in favour.
\n\nFabio Wasserfallen, a professor of European politics at the University of Bern, said: “Swiss voters like neutrality, but they approve of how the government is implementing it at present.
\n\n“They are also generally in favour of the…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business