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“Shocking!” “Chilling!” “Bumble!” There is consternation in parliament. Harsh words are spoken. The Federal Audit Office (SFAO) report does not shed a good light on the federal arms company Ruag. But now Defense Minister Viola Amherd (61) is also coming under pressure. There are accusations from parliament that the Federal President stood idly by.
Ruag wanted to sell 96 Leopard 1 tanks stored in Italy to the Rheinmetall company to pass on to Ukraine, which led to several irregularities. The DDPS immediately pointed to Ruag: as owner, the federal government expected that “obvious shortcomings in the organization, processes and business activities would be immediately corrected.” Chairman of the Board of Directors Nicolas Perrin (65) has already resigned.
VBS could have stopped operations
But mistakes also happened in the VBS. The EFK report shows that Amherd’s department became aware of the sensitive tank deal in January 2023 – late, but not too late. “If there were concerns, the deal could have been terminated at any time before the contract was signed,” the auditors wrote.
This has drawn criticism from parliament. “Amherd apparently completely underestimated the explosiveness despite the war in Ukraine,” says SVP Councilor Mauro Tuena (52). It was clear that the deal was not compatible with neutrality. “Federal councilor Amherd should have pulled the cord,” says SP security politician Franziska Roth (57). Others accuse Amherd of showing too little leadership.
When asked, the DDPS did not elaborate on why Amherd and its department did not intervene. It simply indicates that there was an informal, positive assessment by Seco. However, the futility of the tank deal was probably foreseeable at the time.
“Seemed like way too little”
Amherd must absolutely take back the reins. “The federal government did not look closely enough at Ruag as an owner. Amherd should have listened and intervened much earlier,” says SVP security politician Thomas Hurter (60) in the same vein. After all, Amherd has also hired those responsible, emphasizes party member Werner Salzmann (61). “So she also bears political responsibility.”
Perrin’s resignation marks a new beginning at Ruag. CEO Brigitte Beck had already resigned last August after controversial statements about arms deliveries to Ukraine. Her successor Ralph Müller will take office in March.
Amherd’s personnel policy is being questioned
The dispute over 25 of the 96 Leopard 1 tanks stored in Italy is entering the next round. The German company Global Logistics Support (GLS) claims this for itself, which the federal arms company Ruag wants nothing to do with. However, at the beginning of December, an Italian court ruled in favor of GLS.
But Ruag doesn’t want that to happen. She continues with the verdict. “The super provisional decision of December 2023 has been successfully appealed,” said Ruag spokeswoman Kirsten Hammerich. “Ruag’s first hearing before the same authority is scheduled for fall 2024.”
In 2019, GLS bought the 25 “Leos” for a bargain price, but never picked them up. Two years later, Ruag turned down the money. Only in February 2023, when it signed a contract with Rheinmetall for all 96 tanks, did GLS transfer the money again. However, there is no renewed written agreement, which adds to the legal uncertainty.
The dispute over 25 of the 96 Leopard 1 tanks stored in Italy is entering the next round. The German company Global Logistics Support (GLS) claims this for itself, which the federal arms company Ruag wants nothing to do with. However, at the beginning of December, an Italian court ruled in favor of GLS.
But Ruag doesn’t want that to happen. She continues with the verdict. “The super provisional decision of December 2023 has been successfully appealed,” said Ruag spokeswoman Kirsten Hammerich. “Ruag’s first hearing before the same authority is scheduled for fall 2024.”
In 2019, GLS bought the 25 “Leos” for a bargain price, but never picked them up. Two years later, Ruag turned down the money. Only in February 2023, when it signed a contract with Rheinmetall for all 96 tanks, did GLS transfer the money again. However, there is no renewed written agreement, which adds to the legal uncertainty.
But today he is already encountering distrust. The previous Beck and Perrin had neither experience with the arms industry nor with political processes. “It didn’t turn out well,” says SVP Landraad Tuena. Things won’t look much different with Müller’s successor. “You cannot deduce the necessary qualifications based on your CV,” says State Councilor Salzmann. Politicians will have to look closely.
Amherd’s personnel policy is now being fundamentally questioned in parliament. The fact that the outgoing chairman of the Board of Directors, Perrin, is the brother-in-law of Amherd’s closest advisor is not acceptable. But problems also arise in other areas. Time and time again the management staff takes their hat off. This paints an increasingly questionable picture.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
