The army will have an additional 4 billion for the years 2025 to 2028. The National Council approved this increase requested by the Council of States on Thursday. The envelope will be offset by other items in the Confederation. The vote fell by 110 votes to 78.
The Federal Council proposed a ceiling on military spending of 25.8 billion for the period 2025 to 2028. In June, the Council of States supported an increase in the ceiling by 4 billion francs, to 29.8 billion, against the advice of the government and the left.
This allows the army to reach 1% of GDP by 2030, and not 2035 as initially planned. The Council of States has planned compensations of 2 billion in international cooperation and 2 billion in other items.
Unrealistic or possible?
The National Council approved this increase against the advice of the SP, the Greens and the Greens. As the security report notes, a war on the banks of the Rhine is not a realistic scenario. The additional financial resources would be better used for peace, stressed Marionna Schlatter (Greens/ZH).
The Russians are bogged down in a conflict in Ukraine, they should occupy half of Europe and beat NATO before reaching Switzerland, argued Pierre-Alain Fridez (PS/JU).
Swiss President Viola Amherd recalled that the report was completed after the start of the war in Ukraine. ‘The possibility of a conflict is more likely than before and must not be lost sight of.’
“There is a possibility that the world will change. We cannot start from the idea that nothing will ever happen to us,” countered Jacqueline de Quattro (PLR/GE).
Compensations
There was a lively debate about how to finance these additional expenses. In the end, the choice fell on compensation. In international cooperation, in personnel costs, including on border personnel, fedpol and the intelligence service, by increasing the efficiency of the army and by additional revenues resulting from the reduction of the cantons’ share of direct federal tax.
The defence group and armasuisse will have to save a total of 500 million francs by 2028. This will be achieved by increasing their efficiency. Operating costs will be reduced in favour of investments.
/ATS
