¶ Initiators and Committee
¶ Result of the vote on 27 September 2026
The Neutrality Initiative was rejected on 27 September 2026 by 70.15% No to 29.85% Yes. All 26 cantons rejected it; the cantonal vote was 0 to 23.
Provisional official final result · Data as of 27 September 2026, 16:12 (Europe/Zurich).
| Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 789’130 | 29.85% |
| No | 1’854’767 | 70.15% |
Turnout: 47.06%.
The proposed Article 54a will therefore not be added to the Federal Constitution. The background and arguments below document the debate before the vote.
Summary: The Neutrality Initiative is sponsored by the association "Pro Schweiz", which was founded in 2022 as the successor organisation to AUNS. The initiative committee is chaired by Walter Wobmann (SVP). The SVP is the only major party that supports the initiative.
¶ 1. Verein Pro Schweiz -- AUNS Successor
On 8 October 2022, the association "Pro Schweiz" was founded in Bern [1][2]:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 8 October 2022, Bern |
| Merger of | AUNS (Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland), Committee against EU creep (EU-NO), Business Association against EU Accession |
| Political classification | Right-conservative, sovereigntist |
| Seat | Postfach 54, 8416 Flaach |
The founding act was led by former Bundesratlor Christoph Blocher [1].
¶ 2. Leadership
| Function | Person | Background |
|---|---|---|
| President Pro Schweiz | Stephan Rietiker | Zug-based physician, medtech entrepreneur, former GC president [3] |
| Vice President / Committee Chair | Walter Wobmann | Former SVP Nationalratlor SO [4] |
| Managing Director | Werner Gartenmann | Already held the same position at AUNS [1] |
¶ 3. Initiative Committee
- Walter Wobmann (Chair, former SVP Nationalratlor SO)
- Thomas Aeschi (SVP parliamentary group leader, Nationalratlor ZG)
- Pierre-Andre Page (SVP Nationalratlor FR)
- Hans-Ueli Vogt (former SVP Nationalratlor ZH, law professor)
- Joseph "Sepp" Blatter (former FIFA president)
- Stephanie Gartenmann
Note: Christoph Blocher significantly supported the initiative at its launch but is not a formal member of the initiative committee. [4]
¶ 4. Political Classification
Pro Schweiz positions itself as a non-partisan organisation but is closely connected to the SVP in terms of personnel. The SVP is the only major party that officially supports the initiative [5]. Note: Position paper of the SVP
There are, however, also sympathies within parts of the peace movement and isolated voices on the left who are fundamentally critical of the sanctions regime.
| Party | Position on the initiative |
|---|---|
| SVP | Yes (only supporter) |
| SP | No |
| FDP | No |
| The Centre | No |
| Greens | No |
| GLP | No |
¶ References
[1] swissinfo.ch (2022). Pro Schweiz founded as AUNS successor organisation.
SWI swissinfo.ch. [Open Access]
[2] SRF (2022). Struggle over neutrality -- AUNS becomes Pro Schweiz.
Swiss Radio and Television. [Open Access]
[3] NZZ (2022). Blocher's Pro Schweiz banks on Rietiker.
Neue Zuercher Zeitung. [Open Access]
[4] 20 Minuten (2024). Ex-FIFA chief Blatter campaigns for initiative.
20 Minuten. [Open Access]
[5] SVP Switzerland (2024). Position on the Neutrality Initiative.
SVP Switzerland. [Open Access] Note: Position paper of the SVP
Last updated: March 2026