Switzerland’s push to strengthen its armed forces has run into constitutional and political resistance. Defence minister Martin Pfister has secured cabinet backing to raise military spending from 0.7% to 1% of GDP by 2030 and reorganise the armed forces, citing a worsening security environment. But the country’s constitutional “debt brake” and referendum requirements complicate plans to fund the increase, including a proposed temporary VAT rise. Efforts to relax arms export rules have also proved contentious: parliament eased restrictions, yet excluded Ukraine after pressure from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, and further challenges are possible. As Bern seeks closer defence ties with the EU, neutrality politics and fiscal orthodoxy risk stalling what would be Switzerland’s most significant military shift in decades.
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Switzerland’s push to strengthen its armed forces has run into constitutional and political resistance. Defence minister Martin Pfister has secured cabinet backing to raise military spending from 0.7% to 1% of GDP by 2030 and reorganise the armed forces, citing a worsening security environment. But the country’s constitutional “debt brake” and referendum requirements complicate plans to fund the increase, including a proposed temporary VAT rise. Efforts to relax arms export rules have also proved contentious: parliament eased restrictions, yet excluded Ukraine after pressure from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, and further challenges are possible. As Bern seeks closer defence ties with the EU, neutrality politics and fiscal orthodoxy risk stalling what would be Switzerland’s most significant military shift in decades.