The announcement of Viola Amherd’s resignation came as a surprise. If his commitment, particularly to equality, has been praised, his management of the army has been criticized. Several parties emphasize that his or her successor will have to act within the DDPS, to “clean up” for some, put the army back on track and rearm it for others.
KEYSTONE
“Faithful to her principles, Viola Amherd represented Switzerland with a keen sense of responsibility as President of the Confederation,” writes the Center. He salutes the rigor and determination of his federal advisor.
The organization of the conference on peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock, but also her commitment to strengthening the army are cited among the successes of the Valaisanne, at the head of the defense department.
The Greens and the Green Liberals said they were surprised by the announcement of his resignation. “I thought she was going to at least wait until the end of the women’s Euro this summer,” an event that is close to the minister’s heart, said Vert’liberal vice-president Céline Weber to Keystone-ATS.
The Greens are also surprised by this resignation, three days after harsh criticism from the UDC. They highlight his commitment to equality, particularly in sport. It is also thanks to Ms. Amherd that the army made its mea culpa and took measures against harassment and violence in its ranks, recalls the vice-president of the parliamentary group Fabien Fivaz (NE), interviewed by Keystone-ATS .
Reviews of the F-35
Viola Amherd succeeded in convincing the population of the need to acquire new combat aircraft, underlines the PLR. For the Green Liberals too, the purchase of the F-35 is among the centrist’s successes.
An opinion that the Greens and the Group for a Switzerland without an Army (GSsA) do not share. Viola Amherd refused the people the opportunity to decide on the purchase of the F35, by signing the contracts before the submission of the popular initiative of the left, notes Fabien Fivaz.
On X, the GSsA was pleased that “the roller coaster with Viola Amherd” would soon be over. In addition to the “prevented vote” on the F-35, the group also denounced a “insane increase in the army budget” and a “reconciliation with NATO through the back door”.
DDPS “broken”
The parties used the announcement of Ms Amherd’s resignation to highlight the need for action within the Department of Defense.
“Viola Amherd was the subject of particular surveillance and was often confronted with attacks from the right, in particular because of her gender,” writes the PS on the Bluesky network.
The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) is therefore today “broken down”, with one “armament debacle” one after the other. The socialists therefore expect Valaisanne’s successor to “clean up” within the DDPS and put an end to “the waste of taxpayers’ money”.
The Greens also note that Ms. Amherd has not resolved the problems left by her predecessors. Many acquisition projects do not progress or are subject to budget overruns.
Priority to armament
For the PLR, the absolute priority of Valaisanne’s successor must be to rearm the army, which is currently not able to defend itself. To do this, a clear roadmap is necessary.
For the UDC, the next defense minister will have to put the army back on track. Switzerland must return to the armed and global neutrality which preserved the country from the great misfortunes of the last two centuries, indicated the president of the parliamentary group Thomas Aeschi to Keystone-ATS.
The UDC demanded last Saturday the withdrawal of the federal councilor, accusing her of setting the wrong priorities for the army. Following these criticisms, the Greens believe that the UDC must now take its responsibilities and therefore the head of the Department of Defense.
