In Switzerland, voters reject referendum proposal to lock neutrality into constitution

Swiss voters have rejected a referendum proposal to tighten their country’s vaunted neutrality, after polling on Sunday. The proposal, which would have bolstered Switzerland’s armed neutrality in its constitution, was backed by the country’s biggest party, the hard-right SVP. But opponents dubbed the bid “pro-Russian”. It was rejected by 70.1% of voters, according to the final results. [ . . . ] The proposal would have prevented Switzerland – whose neutrality dates back to 1516 and has been internationally recognised since 1815 – from establishing closer ties with NATO and would have ruled out any military alliance except if the country were attacked.
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