Swiss voters have rejected an initiative aimed at preserving the country’s neutrality, which proposed enshrining the principle of permanent and comprehensive neutrality in the Constitution, lifting anti-Russian sanctions and banning Switzerland from joining NATO.
According to preliminary results published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, 69.99% of voters rejected the initiative, while 30.01% supported it. Voter turnout stood at 47.14%.
The initiative required a double majority of both voters and cantons to pass. Since 13 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, including three half-cantons, have already rejected the proposal, it is considered defeated. Final results are expected later in the evening.
By Jeyhun Aghazada
