Swiss voters reject Blocher-backed neutrality initiative in a sweeping defeat

Swiss citizens voted against the neutrality initiative, resulting in a clear loss as no canton recorded a majority in favor. The proposal, largely driven and funded by Christoph Blocher, saw little engagement from senior SVP politicians, who largely stayed out of the campaign. After the first provisional results, a celebratory photo captured Monika Rühl, director of Economiesuisse, with FDP co-president Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher, flanked by Cédric Wermuth of the SP, GLP leader Corina Gredig and Mitte politician Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger.

Analysts described a growing “neutrality fatigue” within the SVP and highlighted the absence of party president Marcel Dettling and other prominent figures. Lukas Reimann, former president of the predecessor of Pro Schweiz, argued the vote reflected a desire for a nuanced neutrality rather than a rejection of neutrality itself. Blocher, speaking from his garden in Herrliberg, said the result was disappointing but noted the campaign had moved the support base from zero to a modest share.