bern - switzerland

today the swiss had to vote on a referendum proposed by the social democratic party of swizterland to cut progessively for the next 10 years the army budget by 50 % and to invest the saved money in peace mission actions and for socially useful investments. siwss people said no to this proposal with 62,3 %. 37,7 % would have agreed.

the official bugdet of the swiss army is ca. 5 billion swiss franks. it is believed that in reality it is the double, organised via the federate states and other budgets of the central government. the total budget of the central government is of ca. 32 billion siwss franks. the siwss population is of 6 million citizens and of 1,5 million foreigners. the swiss army is a civil army, every citizen has to serve. the exemption for ethical or political or religious reasons is possible but must be compensated with a civil service.

some years ago another left wing group asked in a referendum to abolish the army totally, which was also clearly denied.

it is very intresting to see that the social democratic party which has 2 of 7 ministers in the central government since 1945 could be contrary to a strong siwss army and contribute to a non sense discussion in the population. the swiss army enjoys within the population a high reputation.

we should not forget that switzerland in the geographic heart of europe, without army or with a weak army, would destabilise the european power play. of course some powers could be intrested in that.

gigi