Even the Council of States should agree: Panzer deal suddenly has good chances

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Now the liberation will really come! Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Switzerland’s image has been collapsing. Precisely because the Bundesrat even refuses to pass on Swiss weapons. Bern rejected applications from Germany, Denmark and Spain.

Recently, however, the state government made a U-turn: it gave the green light for the sale of 25 decommissioned Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Berlin. NATO states that had supplied tanks to Ukraine could thus fill the gaps. The pressure is now so great that, according to Blick research in the seventh committee, only SVP federal councilor Albert Rösti (55) opposed it.

There is a clear majority

However, the deal is not yet sealed. In order to sell the tanks to Berlin, parliament must first officially decommission them. And it is precisely on this obstacle that the company can still fail, many fear. So far, all attempts to allow indirect arms transfers have been sunk in parliament.

The concerns of the Council of States in particular are great. Finally, its provisional advisory committee spoke out clearly against the decommissioning and sale of the tanks. Several Councils of States are of the opinion that Switzerland needs the tanks itself. Moreover, such a deal violates neutrality.

But: these concerns of the supporters are unfounded. Research by Blick shows that the bill has a good chance of passing the House of Representatives. If the National Council is the first to decide on the army message of 2023 and therefore also on the tank deal mid-month, a clear majority should watch out, the parliamentary groups signal.

SVP is lost

In the 200-strong National Council, only the 55 SVP members oppose the deal. For them, the tank delivery is about a ring exchange that undermines Swiss neutrality. FDP, Mitte, GLP and SP, on the other hand, are clearly in favour. “I don’t know anyone here who is against it,” says middle chairman Gerhard Pfister (60). The attitude of the 16 Green Liberals is also clear. “We only have one vote against,” says GLP faction leader Tiana Moser (44).

The same goes for the Greens, who previously voted against arms deliveries for pacifist reasons. They are not against the tank deal: “Of course we are not against dismantling tanks. But it must be clear that they will not end up in a war zone,’ says GroenLinks leader Aline Trede (39).

Even in the 46-strong Council of States, the eight SVPs are in a losing position. Other skeptics from the ranks of the FDP and Mitte need to be put on track as far as possible before the small chamber is expected to hear the case in the fall.

“For many, this is the bare minimum!”

Mitte boss Pfister sees the chance of success with his own councilors as good, since it is a matter for Mitte federal councilor Viola Amherd (60). The inhibition threshold for some would have to be higher anyway to resist it.

“It is a win-win situation: 25 of the 96 tanks that have been decommissioned today have to be sold. For this, 71 tanks would be pimped up and made ready for use. This way the mechanized troops can finally be fully equipped again,” declares FDP- chairman Thierry Burkart (47) “Moreover, we now need a signal to our international partners.”

The SP is also part of the tank deal, assures party leader Roger Nordmann (50). That is also quite clear in the Council of States. “The template will come through,” he is convinced. “For many of us, this is the bare minimum!”

Source:Blick