Idea to cut civil servant perks for the army

The security situation in Europe is worrying politicians and many believe the army needs more money.

Liberal Party National Councillor, Hans-Peter Portmann, has a controversial idea - trim federal staff perks and funnel the cash to defence.

His proposal, backed by 63 right-wing colleagues, calls for a 3% cut in personnel costs from 2027 to 2030. No layoffs, he insists - just fewer privileges. 

Civil servants, he says, enjoy more vacation and extra benefits compared with the private sector. Aligning conditions could free up CHF 1.5bn in four years.

Critics, however, may bristle at losing holidays to pay for tanks.

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