Swiss voters reject bid to lock in armed neutrality and curb sanctions power

Around 70 percent of Swiss voters rejected a referendum on 27 September that would have written 'perpetual and armed neutrality' into the constitution and required UN approval before Switzerland could impose sanctions, a change that would have shielded Russia from further Swiss measures given its Security Council veto. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said the result confirms Switzerland's current course: militarily non-aligned but free to sanction when it chooses.

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