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After the yes to the purchase of a fighter plane, the SP and the army opponents fire on the American planes. The political component of the 6 billion business has hardly been a problem so far. Now the demand is for Switzerland to join Europe in terms of security policy.
The American F-35 is the most modern and controversial fighter jet that the Swiss military has to choose from after the fighter jet, yes.
It was close, but now it’s clear: Switzerland is buying new fighter jets. It is not clear what type of aircraft the military will acquire. So far, the choice of type has hardly been discussed in public. The government and parliament deliberately avoided this after the Gripen fiasco in 2014. But as soon as the vote ends, the debate over the origin of the planes begins. There are still four models in the race. Two of them come from Europe: the Eurofighter cooperation project and the French Rafale. Two more American suppliers want to sell Switzerland: the F / A-18 Super Hornet or the F-35.
The SP vehemently warned against US airmen during the referendum campaign. Refers to technical control mechanisms. The Department of Defense assessment must show whether they actually exist. What is clear, however, is that buying a fighter plane involves maintenance and other possible partnerships. That is why voices are also heard among middle-class parliamentarians and the bourgeoisie asking Switzerland to buy a European plane.
CVP National Advisor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter says: “Fighter jets are not just a national interest.” Switzerland should have an air force that fits into the European system. The foreign politician takes an indirect position against an American plane: “Our allies are the Europeans, that must also apply to the air force.” The clear vote came as a surprise, especially as Schneider-Schneiter’s party colleague, Federal Councilwoman Viola Amherd, recalled Sunday of the vote that military clarifications should be completed before the model decision. The Federal Council could then include political aspects. If and how you will do it is open.
The Federal Council should discuss the decision with parliamentarians
For Andrea Caroni, the FDP Council of States, military performance and cost-benefit ratio take priority. However, the foreign politician says: “If the qualifications are the same, a European supplier should be preferred.” The probability that Switzerland will have to rely on partnering with Europe in a conflict is high.
The SVP Council of States Werner Salzmann also emphasizes that military needs are fundamental. “If two models are tied, the political component plays a role.” So the Federal Council would have to ask itself if it really wanted to decide only on the type: “It would certainly be smarter if the government consolidated the decision with security and foreign politicians in parliament.” There is a better chance that parliament will approve the aircraft type as part of the 2022 armaments program.
CVP’s national adviser, Martín Candinas, is not concerned that parliament will reject the weapons program if the Federal Council decides in favor of a US plane. “The left would reject an American, but it rejects any aircraft anyway.” This is irrelevant if the middle and middle class are behind. Candinas trusts this: “The vice president would be implausible if they put the business at risk just because the type of aviator does not suit them.”
The CVP security politician warns that the business should not be politicized now: “We have decided in parliament that the people should vote on the principle and the financial ceiling, but not on the type and number of aircraft.” Now parliamentarians should be consistent and not suddenly demand political ties.
Save the framework agreement with European combat aircraft?
Until now, security politicians have mainly dealt with the purchase of fighter jets in parliament. CVP’s national adviser, Schneider-Schneiter, criticizes the fact that Parliament’s Foreign Policy Commission (APK) neglects foreign security policy. It is important to know the global and European interrelationships to make the right decisions. Schneider-Schneiter submitted a request to the APK on Monday, as he explains on request: “I want an interpretation of the geopolitical security policy and the role of Switzerland, in which the foreign and defense departments should participate.” The aim is to show how firmly the security policy is interconnected internationally.
Schneider-Schneiter falls short of calling for a debate on the connection between the purchase of a fighter jet and a framework agreement. But it is conceivable that this demand will be made if Switzerland wants to renegotiate additional points in the framework agreement and has to make concessions in other areas. The president of the APK, Tiana Angelina Moser, says, however, that the fighter jet should not be used as a concession to the EU: “Anyway, we cannot solve our challenges with the EU with such counter agreements.” When buying a fighter jet, the political component plays an important role, but a general consideration must be made. “With the type decision, Switzerland could prove its connection to Europe, but it shouldn’t just be about that.”
The FDP Caroni Council of States also argues in a similar way: “The symbolism of the link with Europe should not be decisive for the standard decision.” His party colleague Thierry Burkart says: “A link to the European dossier is certainly a possibility, but another interest could also be the conclusion of a free trade agreement with the United States.”
Threat and Anti-Americanism Initiative
Foreign policy calculations are not the only factor that, after evaluation, could influence the type of decision. Furthermore, the group threatens an initiative for a Switzerland without an army (GSoA). Opponents in the army are not saying exactly what this might look like. In 1992, when they were fighting the acquisition of the F / A-18, they wanted to include some kind of moratorium on fighter jets in the constitution until 2000. At that time, opponents of the military collected significantly more signatures than necessary in very little time. time, 181,707 in 34 days, but they lost significantly at the polls with 57 percent no votes.
The main focus of GSoA activists today is a possible decision in favor of an American plane. At the moment it is not clear if they could count on the support of the Social Democrats for an initiative. The specific aircraft type plays an important role for National Councilor Priska Seiler Graf (sp.). In addition, the general situation and mood are also relevant, writes Seiler Graf on request: “A popular initiative requires a lot of resources in terms of manpower and money.” In addition, there is a major obstacle to initiatives. “That is why that decision must be well thought out.”
Manufacturers will also contribute to the type question shortly. The procurement process is entering another crucial phase. The Federal Council’s decision is expected in the course of 2021.
