What kind of neutrality for what kind of Switzerland?

COLUMN. If the people decline to better define the contours of their neutrality, they will proclaim to the world that it is already variable-geometry and will acknowledge its gradual dilution. If they choose to clarify its scope, they will tie their government's hands, writes Marie-Hélène Miauton Marie-Hélène Miauton's column Since 1999, our columnist has been reflecting on an event of the week. Read her columns Some will reject the neutrality initiative just as they will adopt the Bilaterals III in 2028. They are Europhiles who perhaps belong to the small group of citizens who ultimately even wish for accession to the European Union. For it all goes together — the EU obviously cannot tolerate its members or near-members disavowing its decisions and principles under the pretext of strict impartiality. For example, adopting the sanctions imposed on Russia at the time of the invasion of Ukraine, which the initiative would prevent. These people are therefore not very attached to neutrality because they have chosen a side and, even without agreeing with them, one must salute their political consistency. Others will say no because they appreciate the advantages the European Union brings Switzerland in terms of trade and free movement. They are reluctant to offend Brussels, which can, in a legitimate power struggle, harm our exports or our university partnerships. They consider that Switzerland, a small country enjoying prosperity out of all proportion to its size, needs imported labour and export markets. Advocates of bilateral agreements rather than EU membership, they accept that Switzerland comes out ahead when it navigates ambiguity and defends its interests above all. That it should abandon a purist vision of neutrality in favour of flexible governance adapted to events therefore seems beneficial to them. Armed with this pragmatic and somewhat utilitarian outlook, they will not be swayed by any argument. Le Temps publie des chroniques, rédigées par des membres de la rédaction ou des personnes extérieures, ainsi que des opinions et tribunes, proposées à des personnalités ou sollicitées par elles. Ces textes reflètent le point de vue de leurs autrices et auteurs. Elles ne représentent nullement la position du média.