Switzerland’s biggest political party, the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), is raising alarms over a big decision made by the government. The Swiss government has decided to join some military projects with the European Union (EU), and the SVP is furious. According to them, this could damage Switzerland’s long-standing tradition of neutrality, a key part of the country’s identity for over 200 years.
Switzerland has been neutral since 1815, meaning it stays out of wars, doesn’t send weapons to conflict zones, and doesn’t provide troops to other countries involved in wars. But now, by agreeing to join the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) military pact, the SVP believes Switzerland is moving away from that neutrality. They argue that this decision will not only harm Switzerland’s sovereignty but also put the safety of its people at risk.
In their statement on Wednesday, the SVP heavily criticized the government, especially Defense Minister Viola Amherd. They accused the government of using a sneaky “salami tactic” — slowly slicing away at the country’s neutrality until it’s gone. They also claimed that this is part of a larger strategy to bring Switzerland closer to both the EU and NATO, which Switzerland is not a member of.
The government, on the other hand, is trying to reassure the public that Switzerland’s neutrality is safe. The Swiss Federal Council (the executive branch of the government) said that by joining these military projects, the country’s defense capabilities will be strengthened, without compromising its neutral stance. One of the projects Switzerland is joining, called ‘Military Mobility,’ involves working with 25 EU countries to move military equipment across Europe. Another project, ‘Cyber Ranges Federation,’ will allow Swiss experts to train in simulated environments to protect against cyberattacks.
But the SVP isn’t convinced. They argue that by getting involved in these EU military projects, Switzerland will eventually be forced to align its foreign and security policies with the EU. This, they say, goes against Switzerland’s neutral values and needs to be debated in parliament.
The SVP also pointed out that Switzerland’s interests don’t always match those of the EU. They especially highlighted the EU’s focus on expanding its influence in countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. The SVP believes that Switzerland shouldn’t be involved in these ambitions and should remain neutral.
Interestingly, the Swiss public seems to side with the SVP on neutrality. A poll from earlier this year showed that 91% of Swiss citizens believe their country should stay neutral. This makes the government’s decision to join the EU military projects even more controversial.
Another twist to the story is Switzerland’s response to the Ukraine conflict. Despite not being part of the EU or NATO, Switzerland has adopted Western sanctions against Russia, something that further complicates its neutral stance. Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has even said that Switzerland has moved from being neutral to becoming “openly hostile.”
This decision has sparked a fierce debate in Switzerland: Should the country protect its historic neutrality, or is it time to adapt to new global challenges? The future of Switzerland’s neutral status may now depend on how far the government pushes its military cooperation with the EU and how strongly parties like the SVP fight back.
