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For federal councilwoman Viola Amherd (CVP), September 27 is all or nothing. After her colleague Ueli Maurer (SVP) suffered a hard landing in the Gripen vote in 2014, it is now up to her to convince the people of a 6 billion Swiss franc loan to the Swiss Air Force. A second would not generally question the defense mandate of the Swiss army. Amherd has been repeating this for weeks in interviews, which she also emphasized with SRF host Sandro Brotz in her voting arena on Friday night in Leutschenbach.
FDP State Councilor Thierry Burkart took her into the ring with her, although it should be noted that Amherd was not really dependent on help. On the test bench, he easily withstood Brotz’s questions. He answered critical questions with great skill and raised counterarguments with the sovereignty of the Federal Council.
The “extreme emergency” is not a realistic scenario
Right at the start of the show, he faced a point of criticism that came from within his own ranks: Army chief Thomas Süssli said in the “Swiss military magazine” that with the planned purchase of 30 to 40 new fighter jets, Switzerland would not be adequately equipped in an extreme emergency. . This would require a fleet of more than 100 aircraft.
Amherd responded that this “extreme emergency” was not a realistic scenario. The risk analysis was based on what the Air Force needed the most and accordingly a reasonable expenditure of financial resources was calculated. “It is not a luxury solution that should be based on a worst-case scenario.”
Amherd also cleverly countered the allegation that he was talking to the only Swiss fighter jet pilot for a yes and that this worked as a public relations stunt. She has been involved in the advancement of women for over 30 years and asking the fighter pilot was not a PR agency’s idea, but her own. She finds it interesting that Ueli Maurer took a male pilot with him at the time, but that this never sparked any discussion. Point for the Federal Councilor.
For Amherd, the personal interview with Brotz could have lasted a long time so as not to be embarrassed by an answer or disturb the calm. But SP National Councilor Priska Seiler Graf was already waiting at the arena table and was already casting impatient glances at the moderator. As soon as she gave the floor, you realized: someone has done their homework here. Seiler Graf deftly dismantled Amherd’s arguments, uncovered inconsistencies, drove them into contradictions.
SP National Councilor Priska Seiler Graf
© SRF
An example: Amherd assured that the 6 billion for the new fighter jets would not come from anywhere, but were already in the army budget. “We do not get anything from anywhere, nothing else suffers,” said the Federal Councilor. Seiler Graf responded that, for the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the regular army budget will increase by 1.4 percent over the next ten years. “You get it, you enlarge it, and then you say that after all, everything was paid for from the regular budget.” But that money is lacking in measures against climate change, in the social sphere or in education, “where, in my opinion, it would be better invested.”
Seiler Graf: light fighter jets are enough
Seiler Graf made it clear that he in no way wanted the Luftwaffe to be abolished. But he believes that the scenarios for Switzerland must be realistically assessed. In the military sector, according to the National Councilor, it is, for example, ballistic missiles or attack drones that are increasingly technologically advanced, more accurate and cheaper. “And against that, fighter jets are useless,” he said. Therefore, it is important to invest in defense in this area rather than in high-performance combat aircraft.
Then the FDP Council of States, Burkhart, stepped in and tried to pull the Seiler Graf, who was speaking warmly, out of the water. But his vows faded to nothing. In a short interlude, in which the two shared their knowledge of various military flying objects, he had to give in and leave the stage to the player. She sums up: “We can’t buy everything, we have to set priorities.” It would be enough light combat aircraft for the air police service.
In the study, opponents and defenders of fighter jets disagreed only on which aerial threat is realistic, but also on how it should be avoided. And of course about the costs. They will vote on the loan of 6,000 million francs. But the opposition says that the maintenance and maintenance of the new planes would cost the Swiss population 24 billion more. Especially since it’s not even clear which jets you want to buy. Proponents of fighter jets have calculated that the costs will be lower. You say it is only about 18,000 million francs.
Amherd doesn’t want to lie to the electorate
How expensive are the new planes now? Federal Councilor Amherd did not have an answer to this question. However, he did not choose the cover-up tactic, but explained that there were still many unanswered questions, but that he could guarantee that the aircraft with the highest maintenance costs would not be purchased. I don’t want to make false predictions that are not correct later. I don’t want to lie to the electorate. “
That honesty was disarming. But will trust in the defense minister’s word be enough to approve a billion dollar loan without knowing exactly what will be bought with it? For Lewin Lempert of the group for a Switzerland without an army (GSoA) this is not the case. It is a blank check that is issued to the Federal Council. And Swiss voters need to know what taxes are being spent on.
If it were up to Lempert, the choice would be a light combat aircraft, a Leonardo for example, or a KAI FA-50 from South Korea. It flies supersonic and can easily catch up with a passenger plane. But definitely not 30 to 40 pieces, but 8 to 12. Brotz, meanwhile, listens in fascination and then says, “These are interesting times. I didn’t think I would see a moment when a member of the GSoA would say what kind of fighter jet I should buy. “
