Die Zeit43 minutes agoPolitics2 min readGermany

Swiss referendum on neutrality and AfD strength in eastern German states

Quick Look

In Switzerland, the population will vote on Sunday on an SVP initiative that is intended to strengthen neutrality in the constitution and exclude participation in sanctions and military conflicts.
The Federal Council and Parliament recommend rejection.
At the same time, the AfD has become the strongest force after the state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt and is planning to work with the BSW there, which scientists and civil society actors are warning about.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Swiss neutrality has been anchored in the constitution since 1848, but is not clearly defined. The SVP initiative wants to change this, triggered by Switzerland's adoption of EU sanctions against Russia after the Ukraine war. In Germany, the AfD has become the strongest force after the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and is exploring cooperation with the BSW.

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On Sunday, the Swiss will vote on whether their country's neutrality should be more clearly defined in the constitution. So far it is not clear from the constitution what exactly is neutral. An initiative by the right-wing populist, Eurosceptic SVP party now wants to change this through a referendum. Accordingly, Switzerland should no longer take part in sanctions and military conflicts in other states. The Swiss Federal Council and Parliament officially recommend rejecting the initiative. The neutrality, as enshrined in the constitution since 1848, has proven its worth. The initiative was triggered by Russia's war against Ukraine. Switzerland adopted sanctions against Russia at the EU's insistence. Matthias Daum talks about whether it is even possible to be neutral as a country today and what the Swiss will probably decide. He heads the Swiss office of ZEIT.

After the state elections in September, the AfD has become the strongest force in both Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD wants to elect a state parliament president together with the BSW in October. A cooperation between political scientists and civil society actors is now warning that Saxony-Anhalt could become an “experimental field” for the AfD. In her paper entitled “The Day After,” she writes that civil society in the state will depend on attention and support from other states. Three weeks after the elections in Saxony-Anhalt and one week after the elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Valerie Schönian looks at the status in the two federal states.

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Moderation and production: Helena Schmidt

Collaboration: Mathias Peer, Lena Herrmann

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What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The Swiss referendum on the neutrality initiative will be narrowly rejected.
Likely · Within days
In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD will try to nominate a state parliament president together with the BSW.
Very likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

How will the Swiss population vote in the referendum on the neutrality initiative?
What specific consequences would an acceptance of the initiative have for Swiss foreign policy?
How likely is an actual coalition between the AfD and BSW in Saxony-Anhalt?
What reactions do the EU and other states expect to a possible change in Swiss neutrality policy?