Defense 57,000 signatures against higher entry barriers to civilian service
A broad committee is fighting the higher hurdles for access to civilian service decided by parliament. It submitted around 57,000 referendum signatures in Bern on Thursday. This should allow the people to decide on the bill.
15.01.2026, 16:39
SDA
The signatures send a strong signal against the weakening of civilian service, the non-partisan committee announced. It is led by the civilian service association Civiva and the Young Greens. Over thirty partner organizations and parties are supporting the referendum, including the SP, the Greens and the Group for a Switzerland without an Army (Gsoa).
Last fall, a conservative parliamentary majority decided to raise the bar for access to civilian service so that the army and civil defense would have more personnel available. Opponents believe that the stricter requirements would reduce civilian service personnel by forty percent and endanger the institution as a whole.
"Bullying measures"
The referendum committee argues that civilian service should remain a meaningful service to society. It would help where there is already an acute shortage of personnel and thus provide support where help is needed most.
Every year, those doing community service perform around two million days of service in care, social work, education, agriculture, environmental protection and nature conservation. According to the committee, this is a fundamental contribution to the common good.
Civiva Co-President and SP National Councillor Priska Seiler Graf was quoted as saying that the bill passed by Parliament would not help the army. "Young members of the army who have made the decision to switch to civilian service will hardly be deterred by these harassing measures." The two institutions should not be played off against each other.
