Swiss People’s Party rejects UN membership

Defence minister Samuel Schmid failed to sway delegates Keystone

Delegates at the Swiss People's Party's congress in Lucerne have voted by 389 votes to 44 against Switzerland joining the United Nations.

The result was a victory for the party president, Ueli Maurer, who declared that membership of the UN would weaken Switzerland and undermine its traditional independence and neutrality.

“The same people who, yesterday, came a cropper over Swissair’s international expansion are today pushing us into the arms of the UN,” he warned.

“They believe the existence of a national airline is important for the country’s image, but they are ready to give up Swiss independence.”

Maurer added that those in favour of UN membership displayed a lack of faith in a country that had grown strong through its courage and pioneer spirit.

Arguing in favour of UN membership, the defence minister, Samuel Schmid, insisted that Swiss neutrality and independence would not be compromised.

He told fellow delegates that failure to join the UN would leave Switzerland increasingly isolated from the international community.

A national vote on the issue of whether Switzerland should join the UN is to be held in March next year.

swissinfo with agencies