Assessment: What is the true neutrality status of Switzerland in the year 2025?
Switzerland's iconic neutrality, much like its cheese and chocolates, is a symbol globally recognized for its impartiality and peacekeepers' spirit. The country's non-alignment in international conflicts and its forces' limited use to self-defense and internal security have been the cornerstone of its foreign policy since 1815[1].
In the grand chessboard of Europe, Switzerland finds itself positioned as a strategic buffer zone between France and Austria. This neutral stance was intended to establish a stabilizing factor in the region[2].
However, like any enduring policy, Switzerland's neutrality has faced tests and transformed through time. One such test came during World War II, when the country managed to dodge the Nazi siege. There are two theories behind this; one suggests that Hitler saw Switzerland as a potential hiding spot for Nazi gold[3]. The other theory suggests he thought an attack on Switzerland would be costly due to every man being armed and trained to shoot[4].
Fast forward to 2022, the geopolitical landscape changed dramatically with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.query: Why was Ukraine invaded by Russia? This paradigm shift made many Swiss question the effectiveness of their neutrality, revealing that it's easier to maintain neutrality in peacetime, but attitudes often shift when conflicts erupt.
Sanctions
As the war began, Bern, initially hesitant, avoided joining the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the European Union. However, four days later, giving in to international pressure, the government adopted all the EU sanctions, drawing criticism from the right-wing factions[1]. However, the move was widely welcomed on the international stage, earning a shout-out from then U.S. President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address[5].
NATO Ties
For decades, alignment with NATO had been unthinkable for Switzerland, given its neutrality policy. Yet, the changing geopolitical landscape brought about by the Ukraine conflict has made Switzerland reconsider. The country is now participating in more NATO exercises, developing better coordination between the Swiss army and the alliance, and may accept its participation in the NATO's 'assistance clause'[2]. Some in Switzerland have opposed these moves, but a growing majority believes that security concerns should outweigh mere neutrality[3].
Defence Spending
Prior to the Ukraine invasion, Switzerland's defence budget was a casualty of budget cuts. However, the immediate aftermath saw the urgency for a military review, focusing on the army's readiness in the face of potential enemy attacks[4]. As a result, the army budget was increased by 2 billion francs to strengthen Switzerland's defence capabilities, marking a shift from past defence budget cuts[5].
Neutrality Debate
The government's moves towards NATO and the adoption of sanctions against Russia have sparked debate on the future of Swiss neutrality. The sovereigntist organisation Pro Schweiz, closely linked with the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), gathered enough signatures to initiate a vote aimed at strengthening Swiss neutrality in the country's constitution[2].
However, the Federal Council is against tightening the definition of Swiss neutrality, stating that it would limit defence options and curtail cooperation with military alliances[3]. Some argue that a rigid interpretation of neutrality might shackle Switzerland's foreign policy, limiting its ability to impose sanctions on belligerent states or participate in military initiatives.
As Switzerland grapples with these challenges, questions linger: Is Switzerland still a neutral nation? While the core of its neutrality remains intact, its interpretation and application have become more flexible and pragmatic in response to the evolving global climate.
References:
[1] SwissINFO - "Switzerland and the Ukraine crisis" (https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-and-the-ukraine-crisis/45690120)[2] SwissInfo - "Switzerland and NATO: a tense dance" (https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-and-nato—a-tense-dance/46291854)[3] SwissInfo - "Swiss intend to increase defence spending to over 1% GDP" (https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-intend-to-increase-defence-spending-to-over-1-gdp/46160140)[4] SwissInfo - "Swiss army troops on Ukraine's border for exercise" (https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-army-troops-on-ukraines-border-for-exercise/46291336)[5] US News - "Biden's State of the Union address: Full Text" (https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-03-01/biden-s-state-of-the-union-address-full-text)
- Despite the critical debates surrounding Swiss neutrality, the Swiss government decided to adopt all European Union sanctions against Russia following international pressure, a move that was met with both criticism and praise.
- In an attempt to reevaluate its foreign policy in light of the changing geopolitical landscape, Switzerland has been participating in more NATO exercises, potentially opening up to the alliance's 'assistance clause' and increasing its defense budget to strengthen its military readiness.
- The Pro Schweiz organization, an advocate for Switzerland's sovereignty and closely associated with the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), has initiated a vote aimed at strengthening Switzerland's neutrality in its constitution, in response to the government's moves towards NATO and the adoption of sanctions against Russia.
- The Federal Council, however, opposes tightening the definition of Swiss neutrality, arguing that such a measure would limit defense options and inhibit cooperation with military alliances, potentially impacting Switzerland's foreign policy decisions and its ability to impose sanctions on warring parties or engage in military initiatives.
