Initiative to cement neutrality

Thursday, 10 November 2022 06:30

An initiative to further entrench Swiss neutrality has been launched.

Backers of the campaign feel that neutrality is being weakened by Switzerland following sanctions set by the EU or other bodies.

The only exception will be the United Nations.

One campaigner, Florence Sager-Koenig says there must be limits on what the Federal Council and parliament can do.

Another member, Stephanie Gartenmann, says Swiss neutrality benefits the world as it makes it possible to host peace talks with other parties.

To take the question to the people – the group has until May 2024 to collect 100,000 signatures.

More from Bitesize News

Geneva could foot the G7 bill

Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.
US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.
French singer banned by Paleo

The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
Cars going uninspected

The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.
War may lead to rent rises

Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.
Not a heatwave, yet

Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.