Anti-NATO demo in front of the embassy in Vienna: that’s why Austrians are protesting Switzerland

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That too! As if Defense Minister Viola Amherd (61) didn’t have to endure enough opposition in her own country. From the far right and far left, the planned entry into Europe’s missile protection umbrella, Sky Shield, is being denounced as “natoising” Switzerland. The SVP warns of the death blow to our neutrality.

Amherd signed a letter of intent on Friday with German counterpart Boris Pistorius (63) and Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (53).

But now the Bundesrat must endure attacks from our eastern neighbours. NATO skeptics in Austria, which is also neutral, blame Switzerland for its Sky Shield plans. On Friday, the initiative “Self-determined Austria” (SebÖ) even called for a protest meeting in front of the Swiss embassy in Vienna.

Actually, Bern is to blame

The specific accusation? Ironically, Switzerland, which has so far resolutely prevented the transfer of arms and ammunition to Ukraine, has given in to its Sky Shield plans – which the Austrian government is using as an excuse to further undermine its own neutrality. A difficult accusation to understand.

While the organizers speak of about 150 demonstrators, the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) estimates the number at 60 to 80. There was no direct contact with embassy staff, says FDFA spokesman Andreas Heller. Other than that there were no incidents. “The demonstration was approved by the police and passed off peacefully.”

Contrary to NATO skeptics, Central Federal Councilor Amherd does not see neutrality in jeopardy because of Sky Shield. In an additional statement, Switzerland and Austria had made certain reservations regarding the law of neutrality. “Any participation in international conflicts is expressly excluded,” she stressed. “It is up to us to decide to what extent we want to participate in this.”

The allegations go much further

The association “Self-determined Austria” is not calm about this. She accuses Chancellor Karl Nehammer (50) of getting closer to NATO and thus becoming the gravedigger of Austrian neutrality. The government sees Switzerland’s participation as a free pass.

And it goes much further: for SebÖ comrade-in-arms Martin Weinberger, Sky Shield is not just for missile defense, as is always claimed. Rather, it is “an instrument to prepare for the possibility of a first nuclear strike by NATO against Russia”. Therefore, Austria may not participate under any circumstances. Nor Switzerland! In Bern, however, this claim will only meet with even more incomprehension.

Source:Blick