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Debate within SVP

Thursday, 27 August 2026 06:35

Cracks are showing inside the SVP over Christoph Blocher's neutrality initiative, ahead of the 27 September vote

Neuchâtel cantonal SVP leader Daniel Berger, a former brigadier who commanded up to 7,000 troops, has said he will vote no, warning the text would stop the Swiss army training alongside NATO forces and block economic sanctions against countries that breach international law.

Former captain Gian Carlo Vacchini, the sole abstention when SVP delegates backed the initiative on Saturday, argues Switzerland cannot defend itself without cooperating with other armies.

Their public dissent breaks the united front the party leadership has tried to project, though former Valais state councillor Oskar Freysinger is still touring the country to promote the initiative.

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