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The tank on the ballot issue consists of Swiss thousand dollar bills, and that’s about to change: The so-called war settlement initiative wants Switzerland to stop co-financing the arms industry. For example, the Swiss National Bank (SNB), foundations and pension funds should be prohibited from investing in companies that get part of their money with war material. The concern was raised by the Group for a Switzerland without an Army (GSoA) and the Young Greens. Supporters include Greens, SP, and EPP.
The initiative had no chance in parliament, and the Federal Council also rejected it: Hardly feasible, so the verdict. With the usual stock portfolios with thousands of companies around the world, it is almost impossible to see if the money really flows into war material. At the same time, negative economic consequences are feared.
A question of morality
Furthermore, the Federal Council maintains that warring parties around the world can organize their weapons even if Switzerland does not get involved. But it is precisely this argument that the initiators do not accept. They would not say that after a yes to the initiative, world peace will soon come, says the EPP National Councilor, Lilian Studer (42). “But it’s about taking responsibility for our actions and investing our money.” And Green Councilor Céline Vara (35, NE) said twice that the funding of war materiel producers is in absolute contradiction with the Swiss humanitarian tradition.
The Greens’ position in particular is interesting because it goes beyond the moral argument against war. They make a clear connection between war and weather. Julia Küng (19), co-president of the Young Party, says: “The arms industry is one of the dirtiest sectors.” Not only would human life be in danger, the environment would also be polluted.
Green target
The Federal Council has also thought about the future here. And he worries that saying yes to the initiative sets a precedent. Because if the SNB and pension funds cannot invest in companies that produce war material, this can also be extended to other areas: from tobacco to oil to money games.
The Young Greens openly admit that this is one of the goals. “We even hope that this precedent is created in the long term,” Küng said. “Investments must be compatible with social and ecological values.” Experience shows that sustainable investments also generate good returns, Küng said. Now he hopes that the initiative will one day provide a boost in this direction.
Keystone
The initiative requires that the national bank or pension funds can no longer invest in producers of war material.
The Swiss National Bank, foundations and pension funds (AHV / IV / EO) should no longer be able to invest in war business. This is what is required by the initiative “For a ban on the financing of producers of war material” of the Group for a Switzerland without an Army (GSoA) and the Young Greens. They have the support of the Greens, the SP, the EPP and around 30 organizations.
The producers of war material are, therefore, companies that generate more than 5 percent of their annual turnover from the manufacture of war material. Loans, loans, gifts or the purchase of shares would be prohibited. The existing funding would have to be phased out within four years.
For supporters, the initiative is a step toward a more peaceful world. Investing in wars and conflicts contradicts the humanitarian tradition of neutral Switzerland. Many financial companies are already making ethical investments today.
The Federal Council and the bourgeois majority in parliament reject the initiative. For them, this would have negative economic consequences for the National Bank, foundations and pension funds. The financial sector, as well as the machinery, electrical and metal industries, could also be affected. The Swiss location would become less attractive.
