Petition to the Swiss Federal Council: Calling for the Immediate Suspension of Military Cooperation with NATO and the EU

# Petition to the Swiss Federal Council: Calling for the Immediate Suspension of Military Cooperation with NATO and the EU

**SOLOTHURN** – A growing movement for Swiss national sovereignty and the preservation of the country's historic tradition of non-alignment has launched a formal petition demanding an immediate cessation of all military collaboration between Switzerland, NATO, and the European Union.

The campaign, spearheaded by the *Bewegung für Neutralität* (BENE), has gained significant momentum in its first week, already surpassing 3,000 signatures from concerned Swiss citizens. Organizers have set an ambitious target of collecting at least 10,000 signatures by the end of April 2026, signaling a deep-seated public desire to pull the Alpine nation back from the precipice of creeping integration with foreign military powers.

### A Stand for National Sovereignty For proponents of the initiative, the core issue is the survival of the Swiss identity. In a recent statement, BENE representatives argued that aligning with international power blocs, adopting foreign armaments programs, and participating in extraterritorial sanctions are not merely administrative decisions, but active erosions of the "soul" of Switzerland.

"If we do not stand for neutrality now, we will sooner or later be dragged into foreign wars or, at the very least, forced into an expensive and unnecessary militarization," the movement warned. The organizers maintain that neutrality is not a passive stance, but a vital prerequisite for maintaining internal peace, democratic freedom, and the ability to act as a credible international mediator—a role that has historically defined Switzerland's "good services."

### The International Dimension: A Global Movement The push for neutrality is not limited to Swiss borders. Recognizing that the erosion of sovereignty is a global challenge, BENE has announced the creation of an **International Federation for Neutrality Organizations (IFNO)**.

The initiative aims to unite like-minded groups across the globe, asserting that neutrality is a fundamental condition for long-term international stability. BENE has already identified approximately two dozen neutrality-focused organizations worldwide and is actively calling for others to join the coalition.

"The more such organizations exist and stand for neutrality, the stronger our collective quest for peace—for the future of our planet, our children, and our children’s children," the group stated. "In collectivity and solidarity lies our strength."

### The Path Ahead As the Swiss Federal Council continues to navigate mounting pressure from international entities to align its policies with Western military agendas, the grassroots efforts of groups like BENE represent a significant counter-narrative. The petition serves as a direct challenge to the political establishment, demanding that the government re-commit to the principles of permanent neutrality as a bedrock of national security.

Interested parties, whether individual citizens or international organizations, are encouraged to learn more about the initiative, sign the petition, or register their organization with the IFNO by visiting [https://bene.swiss/](https://bene.swiss/).

With the deadline for the current signature drive approaching at the end of April, the debate over Switzerland's role in the global order is poised to intensify, testing whether the country will remain a beacon of independence or succumb to the demands of geopolitical blocs.