¶ Good Offices and Mediator Role

Summary: Supporters see the constitutional anchoring of neutrality as strengthening the Good Offices. Art. 54a para. 4 would oblige Switzerland to serve as mediator -- a unique instrument in international diplomacy. 90% of the population view the mediator role as a central function of neutrality.

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¶ 1. What Are "Good Offices"?

The FDFA defines three instruments under "Good Offices" [1]:

• Protecting power mandates: Representation of diplomatic interests of one state in another
• Peace mediation: Active mediation in conflicts
• Host role: Provision of negotiation venues (particularly Geneva)

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¶ 2. Current Protecting Power Mandates

Switzerland has accompanied peace processes in more than 20 countries [2].

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¶ 3. Buergenstock Conference 2024

In June 2024, Switzerland organised a Ukraine peace conference on the Buergenstock [3]:

• 92 participating states, 84 signed the final declaration
• Critical contextualisation: Russia and China did not participate -- the conference was controversially assessed

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¶ 4. Art. 54a Para. 4: Constitutional Obligation

The initiative text would enshrine the mediator role for the first time as a constitutional obligation: "Switzerland shall use its permanent neutrality to prevent and resolve conflicts and shall make itself available as a mediator." [4]

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¶ 5. Counter-argument

Critics doubt that rigid neutrality strengthens the mediator role. The adoption of sanctions in 2022 did not weaken credibility with Western partners but rather strengthened it (see Disadvantages: Reputation).

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¶ References

[1] FDFA (2024). Protecting Power Mandates. [Open Access]

[2] NZZ (2024). The master of Good Offices takes stock. [Open Access]

[3] FDFA (2024). Buergenstock Conference. [Open Access]

[4] Federal Chancellery (2024). Initiative Text. [Open Access]

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Last updated: March 2026