Swiss voters reject 'pro-Russian' bid to strip country of NATO ties and Russia sanctions by more than 70%

From the Newshound archive · first published 27 September 2026 · last updated 28 September 2026.

Switzerland has delivered a crushing defeat to a far-right push to enshrine rigid neutrality in the constitution, with more than 70% of voters and every canton rejecting the proposal. The initiative, backed by the Swiss People's Party, would have forced Switzerland to abandon its mirroring of EU sanctions on Russia and barred any cooperation with NATO. Billionaire SVP backer Christoph Blocher is reported to have spent €2.1m on the campaign. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis had warned the plan would harm national security.

Moscow openly backed the SVP initiative, which opponents said was designed to shield Russia from economic consequences over Ukraine.

The Green Party's Sibel Arslan said voters saw through the plan: 'It wanted Switzerland to isolate itself internationally and shirk its responsibilities.'

The SVP accepted defeat and said it currently has no plans for further action on the issue.