In a referendum held on Sunday, 70.2 percent of Swiss voters rejected a stricter stance on neutrality. The principle of neutrality, as enshrined in the country's constitution, means that Switzerland does not take part in wars or join military alliances. The initiative was put forward by the association Pro Schweiz, which is backed by Swiss industrialist and politician Christoph Blocher and closely aligned with the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party (SVP).
