A majority of the Swiss population is not in favour of increasing spending on defence, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, a new survey reveals. However, they support the government’s existing plan to buy replacement fighter jets.
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Maioria dos suíços hesita em aumentar gastos com a defesa
The online poll published on Monday by the Tamedia newspaper group found that 45% of respondents believe the neutral country’s army budget, which currently stands at CHF5 billion ($5.3 billion), should be increased. Meanwhile, 41% say the army has enough resources and 8% want to reduce its budget.
Increased military spending is backed primarily by supporters of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party (62%) and the centre-right Radical Party (61%). But there is strong opposition from the left (73% of Greens and 70% of Social Democrats said “No”).
Among those seeking an increase in spending, half said the budget should rise by CHF1-2 billion.
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Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the issue of new fighter jets has been keenly discussed again in Switzerland. The authorities plan to purchase 36 F-35A jets from the US company Lockheed-Martin to replace its ageing fleet.
The CHF6 billion ($6.37 billion) credit for the deal was narrowly approved by Swiss voters in 2020, but left-wing campaigners who oppose the idea of buying US planes have started gathering signatures to force another ballot.
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The Tamedia poll found that three out of five people would reject the proposal launched by leftwing oppenents including the Group for a Switzerland without an Army.
The online survey was conducted by the LeeWas Institute on behalf of Tamedia between from March 16-18 among 12,437 people.
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The government’s decision to buy F-35A jets from the US could be challenged in a popular vote if critics get enough signatures.
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