Wobmann’s neutrality initiative comes before the people: “In the eyes of the Russians we are no longer neutral”

The request from the organization Pro Switzerland wants to enshrine ‘perpetual and armed neutrality’ in the constitution. Furthermore, Switzerland may not join a military or defense alliance unless there is a direct military attack on Switzerland. “Non-military coercive measures” against belligerent states would also be prohibited unless decided by the UN.

In the Blick interview, Wobmann explains why he wants to convince voters to say yes.

Blick: Mr. Wobmann, you should put the question of neutrality to the people. Mission accomplished?
Walter Wobmann: Yes, the initiative is coming about. We have collected approximately 140,000 signatures and approximately 110,000 signatures have already been certified. We will submit the initiative to the Federal Chancellery on April 11 at 2 p.m. Until then we will continue to collect.

In doing so, you are sparking a very topical debate in view of the war in Ukraine.
This is just the right time to clarify the question. Not only because of the war in Ukraine, but also because of the threatened accession to NATO. Eternal neutrality is an example of peace for Switzerland, and people don’t want to jeopardize that. As a result, we were spared wars for over 200 years.

So neutrality works! There is no reason to anchor this even more firmly in the constitution.
But! Current developments show that neutrality is constantly being weakened and needs to be weakened even further. This is then packaged in empty words such as ‘flexible’, ‘differentiated’ or ‘active’ neutrality policies. Certain circles only want neutrality on a case-by-case basis. We want to stop this development. You are either neutral or you are not. There are no half measures. Just like a woman can’t be half pregnant.

The Russian war of aggression proves that neutrality is in principle not possible. Anyone who remains “neutral” is siding with the aggressor!
Even in this situation, a state can remain neutral and thus take on a special role. It gives him the opportunity to mediate and bring peace. For a small state like Switzerland this would be an honorable task and with the international Geneva we would have wonderful conditions for this. But by adopting EU sanctions against Russia, we have blocked this path. In the eyes of the Russians we are no longer neutral.

If we did not support the EU sanctions, we would make ourselves outsiders.
We are an independent country and can decide for ourselves. The EU sanctions are just a shot in the oven and have brought nothing to peace. However, I would like to emphasize clearly: Switzerland can continue to support the sanctions adopted by the UN.

Nevertheless, the concept of strict neutrality is crumbling, as the ‘Security 2023’ report shows. A majority even wants rapprochement with NATO.
When people are shown what rapprochement or even NATO membership means – namely the participation of Swiss soldiers in wars for other countries and foreign interests – things look different. The majority does not want to play Kriegerlis. Only when we are directly attacked should we join forces. If we are made into a warring party, we must defend ourselves.