Why did the Swiss vote against stricter neutrality?

Christoph Blocher, a leading figure in the Swiss People’s Party and a driving force behind the referendum, has done his cause a disservice, writes Raphaela Birrer, editor-in-chief of the Tages-Anzeiger:

“The clear verdict could now even prove counterproductive to Blocher’s core concerns. … Outside the country, where our debates on direct democracy are closely followed, Switzerland will have to explain why it remains neutral despite the No vote. The more subtle aspects of our domestic politics are unlikely to have been understood internationally. And ultimately, this distorted external perception weakens our neutrality rather than strengthening it, as Christoph Blocher so desperately wanted.”