SP wants army finances scrutinized and demands transparency
Published: Friday, Feb 2nd 2024, 14:50
Back to Live Feed
Following the revelation of liquidity gaps in the army, the SP is calling for several investigations into the matter. Both the responsible parliamentary committees and the financial audit should shed light on the matter. The SP is demanding "full transparency" from the army.
Speaking to the media in Bern on Friday, SP Co-Faction Leader Samuel Bendahan spoke of "difficult-to-understand communication" by the army leadership. Internal and external parliamentary investigations are now needed. Furthermore, no additional money should flow to the army until the matter has been clarified.
He does not fully understand the army's investment strategy, said Pierre-Alain Fridez, SP National Councillor for the Jura. It cannot be that money simply disappears like this. "Are they hiding something here?"
"History of bad planning"
Zurich SP National Councillor Fabian Molina chose more drastic words: "The scandal surrounding the army's finances is unprecedented in its quality," he said - even though the army has had procurement and financial problems for a long time. "It is a story of poor planning."
Molina wants to know who knew about the latest developments and when, and who bears responsibility for them. He provided the answer himself: "The political responsibility lies with Defense Minister Viola Amherd, she should finally take a stand."
According to Molina, army chief Thomas Süssli has a "more than casual approach to the truth". There is evidence of "massive mismanagement" by the army staff.
Halt to military spending demanded
Basel SP National Councillor Sarah Wyss called for "full transparency" from the army. It is "imperative that more light is shed on the darkness". New money should not be spent on the army. If this does happen, it should not lead to any cost-cutting measures in other areas.
According to a report by Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) on Wednesday, the Swiss Armed Forces will lack over one billion Swiss francs by the end of 2025 to pay for armaments purchases already made. On Thursday, Süssli therefore had to answer questions from the Security Policy Committee of the Council of States (SIK-S).
Süssli then put the initial situation into perspective. No mistakes had been made. "We don't have a financial hole and we can pay all the bills." The situation is "not a drama", but a problem that can be solved.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic