00:00Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to strengthen the country's neutrality in a
00:07referendum on Sunday with around 70% voting against the measure. The initiative would have
00:14allowed Switzerland to impose sanctions only with UN approval, effectively giving Russia,
00:20a permanent Security Council member with veto power, the ability to block such measures.
00:26Supporters led by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, SVP, argues that Switzerland had moved too
00:33close to the EU and NATO since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Switzerland has maintained a long-standing
00:41policy of neutrality. However, the interpretation of that has been the subject of political debate
00:47for years. While Swiss voters rejected the proposed restrictions, support for neutrality itself remains
00:54widespread. According to a latest survey, some 82% of respondents continue to support
01:01Switzerland's neutrality.
