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Defence budget boosted by CHF 4bn

Friday, 20 September 2024 06:30

The lower house of parliament, the National Council, has voted in favour of increasing the defence budget by CHF 4bn.

There’s no disguising the reason - the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Left wing parties would prefer other investments for peace, but they were out voted by the right-wing and centrist parties. 

But the financing will come from cutting areas of the civil service and international aid. 

The left-wing points out Russia is already bogged down in Ukraine and will have to defeat NATO before reaching Swiss borders – they consider that unlikely. 

But the right says security is essential – without it there’s nothing else. 

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