Politics Army should be able to exceed maximum number of personnel for a certain period of time
In view of the geopolitical situation, the Swiss Armed Forces should be allowed to exceed their maximum number of personnel for a certain period of time. The Council of States approved a corresponding amendment to the ordinance on Wednesday.
18.06.2025, 16:34
SDA
By 27 votes to 10, the small chamber amended the legal basis for the organization of the armed forces. The left wing of the Council voted against. The National Council still has to decide on the bill.
The current legal basis sets the target number of conscripts in the army at 100,000 and the effective number at a maximum of 140,000. Because not all conscripts enlist when called up, the effective number is 40,000 higher. At present, the effective number of military personnel is around 147,000, which is above the threshold.
Due to the current threat situation, the Council of States, like the Federal Council, wants to be able to temporarily exceed the legally prescribed effective number of up to 140,000 enlisted military personnel for a maximum of five years.
