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In a remarkable success for civil society and humanitarian values, Swiss campaigners have successfully submitted the popular initiative for the prohibition of nuclear weapons (Initiative populaire pour l'interdiction des armes nucléaires - Atomwaffenverbotsinitiative).
With more than 100.000 valid signatures, the initiative triggers a national political process that asks Switzerland to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, ensuring that the country aligns its foreign policy with its long-standing humanitarian tradition. If the government refuses to sign the treaty, the Swiss people will have the last word in a public referendum.
This achievement demonstrates what many in Switzerland and abroad already understand. Public support for the TPNW is broad, deeply rooted and cuts across political lines. It also shows that Swiss society is ready to stand up to the pressure exerted by nuclear-weapon states that have sought to discourage Switzerland from joining the treaty.
A people’s movement standing up to external pressure
While Switzerland has no significant internal opposition to the TPNW and both chambers of Parliament have voted in favour of joining, the country has faced sustained pressure from nuclear-armed states that do not want another European country supporting the treaty. This external pressure has largely affected one actor, the foreign minister, who has repeatedly postponed a decision in response to concerns voiced by NATO partners.
The successful submission of the initiative is therefore a powerful democratic response. It shows that the Swiss population does not accept that foreign pressure should determine the country's humanitarian commitments.
A short timeline of Switzerland and the TPNW
Switzerland has a long and consistent history of supporting nuclear disarmament and the development of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Between 2013 and 2017, the country played an active role in the humanitarian initiative on nuclear weapons and participated constructively in the negotiations that led to the adoption of the treaty. In 2017, Switzerland voted in favour of its adoption. In 2018, the Federal Council concluded that the country could join the treaty without legal obstacles and without affecting its neutrality or defence cooperation. From 2019 to 2021, both chambers of Parliament expressed strong support for accession, and civil society mobilisation grew steadily. Beginning in 2021, however, pressure nuclear-armed states increased, leading the foreign minister to delay a decision despite a broad domestic consensus. In response, Swiss civil society launched a popular initiative in 2024 and gathered more than one hundred thousand signatures, culminating in its successful submission in 2025.
The power of Swiss civil society
The initiative was made possible by thousands of dedicated volunteers, our partner organisations and literally more than 100.000 people across Switzerland. They collected signatures at train stations and markets, organised events and built a diverse national coalition. Their work is an inspiring example of democratic engagement and shows what determined citizens can achieve even in challenging political environments.
The Public Support is Overwhelming
A new nationwide poll released on 20 December 2025 shows overwhelming public support for Switzerland the TPNW. According to the representative survey 72% of Swiss voters support accession to the treaty, with only 17% opposed.
Support for joining the TPNW cuts across political parties, regions, and demographics, including a majority of voters from every major political party. While many foreign policy issues are divided across the political spectrum, joining the TPNW is uncontroversial in all political parties: UDC 51% , PLR 68% , The Centre 78% , PS/Greens/PVL 92% , and others 70%. Support is consistent across German and French-speaking cantons as well as across rural and urban areas.
Joris Fricker, from ICAN partner organisation Group for Switzerland without an Army (GSoA), highlights the results of the survey: "When collecting signatures on the street, there was a need to explain to why the Federal Council had not already signed the TPNW. Admittedly, there was obviously no convincing explanation for this. There was hardly ever a reason to explain the TPNW and its importance: people were happy to sign."
What comes next?
The submission of the initiative on December 23 triggers a formal process. The Federal Council must issue its recommendation, after which both chambers of Parliament will consider the text. If the authorities do not adopt the proposal directly, the Swiss people will eventually vote in a nationwide referendum.
Whatever the next steps bring, one fact is clear: the Swiss public has taken a major step toward ensuring that Switzerland supports the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Their efforts strengthen the global movement for nuclear disarmament and offer encouragement to campaigners around the world.