'Neutrality Alone Does Not Protect Switzerland Against Aggression'

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Is neutrality 'a jewel' that must be preserved, or a 'tool' that must evolve alongside society? In our programme Let's Talk, we discussed the Swiss popular initiative on neutrality, which goes before voters on September 27. Select your language

Generated with artificial intelligence. Listening: 'Neutrality alone does not protect Switzerland against aggression' This content was published on August 27, 2026 - 09:34 7 minutes

As a correspondent at the Federal Palace for SWI swissinfo, I report on federal politics for the Swiss Abroad. After studying at the Academy of Journalism and Media at the University of Neuchâtel, my career path initially took me to various regional media, working in the editorial offices of Journal du Jura, Canal 3 and Radio Jura bernois. Since 2015, I have been working in the multilingual editorial department of SWI swissinfo, where I continue to practise my profession with passion.

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I manage a multilingual team responsible for covering the Swiss Abroad, providing them with the information they need to participate in political life in Switzerland. After studying political science in Neuchâtel and Bern, I started out in multimedia journalism at SwissTXT and RTS. Since 2008, I've been working at SWI swissinfo, where I've held various journalistic and management positions.

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Français fr ((La neutralité seule ne protège pas la Suisse contre une agression)) Original Read more: ((La neutralité seule ne protège pas la Suisse contre une agress Italiano it “La sola neutralità non protegge la Svizzera da un'aggressione” Read more:“La sola neutralità non protegge la Svizzera da un'aggress

“Neutrality is a jewel that enables Switzerland to contribute to world peace,” says Kevin Grangier, secretary-general of the Pro Switzerland Association, which launched the initiative. According to the campaign's coordinator for French-speaking Switzerland, Switzerland has weakened its ability to act as a mediator in international conflicts by adopting the European Union's (EU) sanctions against Russia in 2022.

Drafted by former federal minister Christoph Blocher, the initiative aims to restore the credibility of Swiss neutrality. To this end, it calls for the principle of“perpetual and armed” neutrality to be enshrined in the Constitution.

Laurence Fehlmann Rielle, a parliamentarian from the left-wing Social Democratic Party, opposes the initiative and believes that Switzerland can play a role in promoting peace on the world stage. However, to do so, the country needs a flexible approach to neutrality.“It is not a treasure, but a tool that must be used intelligently and evolve alongside society,” says the politician.

>> Our explanatory article on the initiative:

More More Swiss Politics Should Swiss neutrality be stricter? Voters will decide

This content was published on Jul 24, 2026 On September 27, Swiss voters will decide on whether or not to enshrine a stricter definition of neutrality into the country's constitution.

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