Swiss to vote on tightening neutrality, ending cooperation with NATO

ZURICH – Swiss voters will decide in a referendum next month whether to approve a more restrictive form of neutrality that would block their country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO.

Posters featuring doves of peace and asking voters to reject war have appeared across the Alpine nation in a campaign that has won the backing of the Kremlin but has raised fears that it could isolate Switzerland from its European neighbors. Opinion surveys suggest voters will reject the proposal, with one recent poll showing 62% against to 36% in favor, but with campaigners for change outspending supporters of the status quo, the gap could narrow, said pollster Fabio Wasserfallen.

Swiss neutrality, internationally recognized since 1815 and part of the country’s constitution since 1848, kept Switzerland out of both world wars.