Neutrality Initiative

1. Ticino✗ No majority, Yes share 48.3%, Turnout 46%
2. Schwyz✗ No majority, Yes share 42.1%, Turnout 53%
3. Appenzell Innerrhoden ½✗ No majority, Yes share 40.3%, Turnout 48%
4. Glarus✗ No majority, Yes share 37.6%, Turnout 42%
5. Uri✗ No majority, Yes share 37.0%, Turnout 43%
6. Schaffhausen✗ No majority, Yes share 36.3%, Turnout 68%
7. Obwalden ½✗ No majority, Yes share 35.9%, Turnout 52%
8. Thurgau✗ No majority, Yes share 35.6%, Turnout 48%
9. St. Gallen✗ No majority, Yes share 35.0%, Turnout 48%
10. Appenzell Ausserrhoden ½✗ No majority, Yes share 34.7%, Turnout 53%
11. Geneva✗ No majority, Yes share 33.4%, Turnout 44%
12. Graubünden✗ No majority, Yes share 33.4%, Turnout 46%
13. Nidwalden ½✗ No majority, Yes share 33.0%, Turnout 52%
14. Valais✗ No majority, Yes share 32.9%, Turnout 43%
15. Aargau✗ No majority, Yes share 29.6%, Turnout 45%
16. Fribourg✗ No majority, Yes share 28.9%, Turnout 42%
17. Zug✗ No majority, Yes share 28.6%, Turnout 56%
18. Jura✗ No majority, Yes share 28.2%, Turnout 40%
19. Lucerne✗ No majority, Yes share 28.2%, Turnout 50%
20. Solothurn✗ No majority, Yes share 27.5%, Turnout 45%
21. Vaud✗ No majority, Yes share 27.0%, Turnout 49%
22. Bern✗ No majority, Yes share 26.6%, Turnout 47%
23. Basel-Landschaft ½✗ No majority, Yes share 26.1%, Turnout 43%
24. Zurich✗ No majority, Yes share 25.5%, Turnout 48%
25. Neuchâtel✗ No majority, Yes share 24.4%, Turnout 40%
26. Basel-Stadt ½✗ No majority, Yes share 20.1%, Turnout 50%

✓ Yes majority · ✗ No majority · Turnout %
½ half canton: counts half towards the majority of the cantons.

Sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO); older votes: Swissvotes, Année Politique Suisse, University of Bern; map base: FSO, GEOSTAT

Cantons by their majority language: Fribourg and Valais count as French-speaking, Bern and Graubünden as German-speaking.

Yes or no?

What exactly is it about?

Switzerland's neutrality has been anchored in the Federal Constitution since 1848 and recognised under international law since 1815. It is permanent and armed: the army ensures the defence of the country. The law of neutrality, meaning the rules for neutral states, forbids among other things taking part in wars between other states. After Russia's attack on Ukraine, Switzerland largely adopted the EU's sanctions against Russia and strengthened its security cooperation with partner states. Sanctions are coercive measures against a state, for example trade restrictions. The popular initiative "Preserving Swiss neutrality (Neutrality Initiative)" was submitted on 11 April 2024. It wants a new constitutional article stating that neutrality is perpetual and armed. Switzerland is not to join any military or defence alliance. Cooperation with such alliances is allowed only if Switzerland is directly attacked militarily or such an attack is being prepared. Switzerland is not to take part in military conflicts between other states or take non-military coercive measures against states at war, except for sanctions of the United Nations (UN). It is also to use its neutrality as a mediator. The people and the cantons vote on the initiative.

What is disputed?

The initiative committee argues that neutrality has kept Switzerland out of the misery of war for centuries and must apply permanently, armed and comprehensively, not be interpreted differently under outside pressure. According to the committee, economic coercive measures often hit the civilian population. The Federal Council and Parliament recommend a no: they say the practice of neutrality has proved its worth since 1848 and leaves Switzerland room to act in its interests, which the initiative would limit. They also see security cooperation and the defence industry at risk.

Party recommendations