Green politicians disagree

The war in Ukraine divides Switzerland. The question of whether Switzerland should allow indirect arms exports to Ukraine is highly controversial. The parties do not agree either. While FDP, center, GLP and SP are feverishly searching for solutions to support Ukraine in the war against Russia, the SVP and the Greens strongly oppose the release of Swiss weapons – albeit for very different reasons.

The Bundesrat has also rejected requests from Denmark, Germany and Spain to hand over armaments on grounds of neutrality.

discord among the Greens

There are pacifist reasons why arms exports are for the Greens a red cloth Are. At their meeting of deputies at the end of January, a large majority voted not to make an exception even for Ukraine. “Being against arms transfers does not mean you are against Ukraine. On the contrary’, assured National Council member and party leader Aline Step (39) on Twitter.

Anyway, it’s annoying Stepthat the discussion is only about weapons. What she much preferred to talk about: the money that would flow from Switzerland to Russia through the commodity trade. And humanitarian aid, of which Switzerland could do much more. “We should pull the trigger on that,” he says Step.

The opinions of the Greens seem made. But now cracks suddenly appear in the phalanx. Ironically, the former president and ex-nominee of the Federal Council, Regula Rytz (60) indicated Steps Tweet as “bold statement”. She refers to an interview with the Eastern European historian Karl Schlögel. He says Ukraine “must get what it needs to beat the Russian army”. Schlögel would also mean weapons by that, wouldn’t it? Rytz seems to support. However, when asked, Blick declined to be more specific.

Motion wanted to allow arms exports

The Greens agree on indirect arms exports to Ukraine But not so united. Already at the delegates’ meeting there was a group that had tabled a motion to allow this.

This included National Councilor Natalie In the ground (52). “We must support Ukraine by all means,” she says. “Unfortunately, this war against Ukraine cannot be ended without military means.” And adds, “I wish it were different.”

Neither side agrees

State Councilor Marionna, on the other hand, is completely on the party line Schlatter (42). And she sees her position confirmed. Because: at the end of January, less than ten percent of the delegates were in favor of the arms export application.

Moreover, no party is in complete agreement on this issue Schlatter. “Of course there are also people in the Greens who have a different opinion. Solidarity with Ukraine is huge among the Greens.”

In the ground wants to support SP in advance

There are several initiatives on the table to relax the War Materials Act. Among other things Movement the SP. This requires the Federal Council to be able to revoke non-re-export declarations if the UN General Assembly declares by a two-thirds majority that a war of aggression violates international law. “The Movement I will support the SP,” he says In the ground. But she’ll be with the Greens probably belong to a minority.

Source:Blick