Parliament approves an extra CHF4 billion for the Swiss army

4 billion more for the army, offset by other items Keystone-SDA

The army will have CHF4 billion more for the years 2025 to 2028. On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved the increase requested by the Senate. The increase will be offset against other federal budget items.

The Swiss government had proposed a military spending ceiling of CHF25.8 billion for the period 2025 to 2028. In June, the Senate supported an increase in the ceiling to CHF29.8 billion (about $30.36 billion) against the advice of the government and the political left. On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted in favour by 110 votes to 78. This boost will enable the army spending to reach 1% of GDP by 2030, rather than 2035 as originally planned.

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There was a lively debate on how to finance these additional expenses. In the end, the choice fell on belt-tightening in international development aid, personnel costs (including border personnel, federal police and the intelligence service), by increasing the army’s efficiency, and by additional revenues resulting from the reduction in the cantons’ share of direct federal tax.

Adapted from French by DeepL/ac

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