Defense Initiative committee launches its campaign for the service citoyen
Men and women in Switzerland should get involved where they are needed most. The Service Citoyen Initiative calls for the current compulsory military service for men to be made compulsory for all.
16.10.2025, 14:15
16.10.2025, 15:45
SDA
On Thursday, the initiative committee presented the campaign for the vote on November 30 in Bern. According to the initiative, service citoyen or civic service can be performed in the army or civil defense, or in areas such as environmental protection, healthcare, education and agriculture.
The initiative is supported by representatives from across the political spectrum - from the GLP, EPP, FDP and Center Party to the SP, Greens, Pirate Party and several young parties.
Natural disasters and cyber attacks, war in Europe and the threat of energy shortages are major challenges, writes the committee. The current staffing levels of the army and civil defense are not sufficient for this.
Only one in three people, almost all of them Swiss men, are currently serving. The committee complains that the Swiss government has been discussing reforms to the militia system for years. However, nothing has actually happened.
