Breakfast Show 6:30am - 10:00am

Listen Live

Search

Debate within SVP

Thursday, 27 August 2026 06:35

Cracks are showing inside the SVP over Christoph Blocher's neutrality initiative, ahead of the 27 September vote

Neuchâtel cantonal SVP leader Daniel Berger, a former brigadier who commanded up to 7,000 troops, has said he will vote no, warning the text would stop the Swiss army training alongside NATO forces and block economic sanctions against countries that breach international law.

Former captain Gian Carlo Vacchini, the sole abstention when SVP delegates backed the initiative on Saturday, argues Switzerland cannot defend itself without cooperating with other armies.

Their public dissent breaks the united front the party leadership has tried to project, though former Valais state councillor Oskar Freysinger is still touring the country to promote the initiative.

Share

More from Bitesize News

  • New biometric card is coming

    Switzerland is rolling out its first biometric identity card, with applications opening from 2 October

  • Police warning in Jura

    Jura police are warning young adults about a car-leasing scam that could leave them facing heavy financial and criminal consequences

  • Raiffeisen job cuts

    Raiffeisen has announced it will cut up to 180 jobs next year, even as the bank posts one of its strongest half-year results.

  • SBB slow down new projects

    Switzerland's rail operator will now prioritise maintaining its existing network over building new lines, its new president André Wyss has said

  • Mixed weather conditions for the weekend

    Switzerland is heading into a mixed few days, with Saharan dust returning and thunderstorms sweeping in later today

  • Popular Geneva festival now underway

    Geneva's La Bâtie festival opened its 50th edition yesterday with three weeks of theatre, dance, circus and music across venues around the city

Follow WRS

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play