Fabio Wasserfallen
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Swiss referendum set to decide on stricter neutrality — and on whether Bern can keep sanctioning Russia
On September 27, Swiss voters will decide in a national referendum whether to enshrine a stricter definition of the country's centuries-old neutrality in the constitution. A 'yes' vote would effectively rule out Swiss sanctions on Russia unless approved by the UN Security Council, where Moscow holds veto power, and would bar military cooperation with alliances such as NATO except in cases of an attack on Switzerland or imminent threat. Polls from September indicate nearly two-thirds of Swiss voters oppose the initiative.