Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland

The group was founded in 1986, after the Swiss people had said “no” to joining the United Nations. Its objective – as the name indicates – is to ensure Switzerland’s continuing independence and neutrality. In particular, it opposes any move towards closer relations with the European Union and is against activism in foreign policy. The cabinet minister from the Swiss People’s Party, Christoph Blocher, was the CINS’s president from the time of its foundation until 2003. At the end of 2004, it claimed to have more than 45,000 members.