Armed with around 130,000 certified signatures, Swiss activists submitted a petition in Bern on Thursday that could pave the way for a national vote in the coming months on proposed constitutional amendments to enshrine Switzerland’s neutrality in international affairs. An initiative needs 100,000 signatures to get on the ballot.

Debate about Switzerland’s neutrality sharpened last year after authorities followed in the European Union’s footsteps to adopt sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine—bucking a centuries-long tradition of not taking sides in global conflicts. In 2022, a top Swiss official also stated that the country would impose punitive measures should China invade Taiwan, though Switzerland did not impose subsequent E.U. sanctions against China.

A survey of Swiss voters found 91% of respondents approved of neutrality in general, though 75% believed sanctions against Russia were compatible with the principle.

The initiative, introduced by advocacy group Status Neutralitatis calls for Switzerland to avoid entering any military alliance unless it is attacked as well as to not impose “any non-military coercive measures” unless obligated by the United Nations. The amendment would also enshrine that “Switzerland uses its perpetual neutrality to prevent and resolve conflicts and is available as a mediator.”

The conservative Swiss People’s Party (SVP) backs the initiative, saying in a statement on Thursday: “The gradual dissolution of neutrality is a threat to Switzerland’s internal and external security.”

Critics say the neutrality initiative would isolate Switzerland by destabilizing its relations with its partners, and the Federal Council that serves as head of state and government in Switzerland rejected the initiative when it was introduced, saying that it would restrict Switzerland’s ability to maneuver on foreign policy and security.