¶ Signatures and Timeline
Summary: The Neutrality Initiative was launched on 8 November 2022 and submitted on 11 April 2024 with 129,806 valid signatures. Following parliamentary proceedings (2025-2026), it is expected to come to a popular vote in autumn 2026 without a counter-proposal.
¶ 1. Chronology
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 8 October 2022 | Foundation of "Pro Schweiz" in Bern (AUNS successor) [1] |
| 8 November 2022 | Launch of the Neutrality Initiative, start of signature collection [2] |
| 11 April 2024 | Submission to the Federal Chancellery with approx. 133,000 signatures [2] |
| 11 April 2024 | Federal Chancellery confirms 129,806 valid signatures [3] |
| 27 November 2024 | Federal Council publishes dispatch: recommends No, without counter-proposal [4] |
| 19 June 2025 | Council of States: Initiative rejected (35:8), counter-proposal adopted (27:15) [5] |
| 26 August 2025 | FPC-N launches consultation on the counter-proposal |
| 5 March 2026 | National Council: Initiative rejected (128:60), counter-proposal rejected (109:77) [6] |
| 11--18 March 2026 | Reconciliation process between the chambers |
| 19 March 2026 | Conciliation conference: counter-proposal definitively failed [7] |
| 20 March 2026 | Final vote: recommendation No to people and cantons |
| Autumn 2026 (expected) | Popular vote (date not yet set by Federal Council) |
¶ 3. On the Signature Collection
- Collection period: 18 months (until 8 May 2024)
- Submitted: Approx. 4 weeks before the deadline
- Collected: Approx. 133,000 signatures
- Valid: 129,806 (required: 100,000) [3]
- According to Pro Schweiz, there was "unexpectedly strong support" also from Western Switzerland [2].
¶ 4. Voting Date
- The Federal Council has not yet set the voting date (as of March 2026).
- Expected autumn 2026 (September or November).
- Requires popular and cantonal majority (double majority).
¶ References
[1] swissinfo.ch (2022). Pro Schweiz founded as AUNS successor.
SWI swissinfo.ch. [Open Access]
[2] SRF (2024). Pro Schweiz submits signatures for Neutrality Initiative.
Swiss Radio and Television. [Open Access]
[3] Federal Chancellery (2024). Federal Popular Initiative "Safeguarding Swiss Neutrality".
Swiss Federal Chancellery. [Open Access]
[4] Federal Council (2024). Dispatch: Federal Council recommends rejection of Neutrality Initiative.
Swiss Federal Council. [Open Access]
[5] swissinfo.ch (2025). Council of States recommends rejection of Neutrality Initiative.
SWI swissinfo.ch. [Open Access]
[6] swissinfo.ch (2026). National Council rejects constitutional article on neutrality.
SWI swissinfo.ch. [Open Access]
[7] swissinfo.ch (2026). Counter-proposal to Neutrality Initiative is off the table.
SWI swissinfo.ch. [Open Access]
Last updated: March 2026