Council of States wants to increase the army budget faster than the Federal Council
Published: Tuesday, Dec 5th 2023, 13:30
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The Council of States wants to increase the army's budget faster than the Federal Council. Switzerland is to spend one percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on national defense as early as 2030 and not just in 2035.
This fundamental decision was taken by the small chamber on Tuesday as part of the budget debate. It approved a minority motion by Jakob Stark (SVP/TG) - by 28 votes to 15 with 2 abstentions. According to the motion, more money is to be made available for the army in the financial planning years 2025 to 2027 than requested by the Federal Council.
The security situation has changed significantly for the whole of Europe since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, said Stark. "We need a credible, operational national defense, which is urgent and important." Stark argued that comparable countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway already spend significantly more than one percent of GDP on their armed forces.
Unclear implementation
The Council of States has not decided how the additional expenditure should be financed. Stark put two options on the table: either savings would have to be made elsewhere in the federal budgets for the coming years, or the army expenditure would have to be booked as an extraordinary item. A motion on the latter proposal is pending in parliament.
If the army is neglected, it cannot guarantee its constitutional mandate, said Werner Salzmann (SVP/BE). Thierry Burkart (FDP/AG) also pleaded for a faster increase in the army budget. The decision gives Parliament and the Federal Council the mandate to "find a way forward here".
Benedikt Würth (center/SG) pointed out that it would be difficult to implement the army's financial target. "I'm interested to know where we should then compensate for the looming structural deficits in the billions."
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter also warned against hasty decisions. The increase must be viewed "in the light of overall expenditure". A faster increase in the army budget is "not sensible" in the current financial situation of the Confederation.
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