Ahead of the 27 September vote on the "Safeguard Swiss Neutrality" initiative, Geneva Council of State member Nathalie Fontanet has restated the cantonal executive's rejection of the text
In a Blick interview, the PLR minister argues Switzerland must defend a "strong but pragmatic" neutrality — one that still allows it to adopt EU sanctions against third countries.
Backers of the initiative counter that a stricter neutrality is exactly what would protect International Geneva, which they see as damaged by perceived alignment with the EU and NATO.
Fontanet says taking sanctions does not close the door to dialogue, and that Switzerland remains respected by other states.
An early SSR poll suggested 54 percent of voters were set to reject the initiative.
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