"Zurich local condemned the EU and NATO - with some suggesting that the vote on expanding military service risked further escalation in Europe - as they went to the polls in a number of referenda on Sunday. "Seemingly well-intentioned proposals can also be dangerous," said one. "I believe that if this referendum passes and people vote in favour, it can very easily be misused so that people suddenly end up in military service." "Switzerland’s increasing closeness to the EU reinforces this danger even more, because we can see that the EU… is now mutating into an offensive and military alliance that also wants to support NATO. Therefore, I see a red alert with this referendum," they added, saying that NATO was 'turning European countries into targets'. "You can clearly observe on a map how, over the years, it has moved closer and closer to Russia’s borders. Therefore, one should simply stop this approach toward Russia’s borders or roll it back, withdraw NATO. And then there would be peace," they continued. The proposal would expand military service to include women, serving either in the army or civilian capacity. "The so-called war that Russia might wage in Europe, is not feasible from Russia’s side. Just in terms of the number of soldiers and financially, it is completely impossible," added another voter, Gabi. "Switzerland is a neutral country, it doesn’t wage wars, it doesn’t attack anyone, so it should have an army that works even with just men," said Sylvia. "Women are welcome, but in my opinion it’s not necessary to build such a large infrastructure, which would then cost us a lot." "If war comes, it will come to us as well, but they won’t attack us because we have everyone’s money," she quipped. Others said that women already did enough 'unpaid work', without being forced to do more under the plans. A number of EU countries - notably France and Germany - have expanded 'voluntary' military service, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggesting it could become 'compulsory', and both warning of the perceived 'threat' from Russia. The Swiss government called on voters to oppose the change, saying it was too costly. Swiss voters were also asked about the super-rich paying more tax to fight climate change. "It is very controversial and questioned, because people fear that some might move their production parts abroad," said one. "But I don’t think this initiative will pass. However, it is important that there is a large share of people who say yes, to show that it is important that money goes into environmental matters." According to media reports, more than 84% of voters rejected the 'citizen service initiative,' and none of Switzerland's 26 cantons came close to supporting it. 78% rejected the climate initiative. Switzerland regularly holds 'direct democracy' referenda on major decisions."