“Want to remain moderate”: Alain Berset expresses skepticism about the German tank request Bang at “Blick”: Editor-in-chief Christian Dorer has to take a six-month break

There are rules for the non-sale of guns from which there are no legal exceptions, Berset said in New York on Tuesday. Although the preconditions could be changed by Parliament and are currently being discussed, Berset immediately imposed restrictions: “It makes perfect sense that these kinds of discussions are perfectly normal at the moment, but we want to remain fairly conservative and moderate on these issues. »

Germany had announced it would sell Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and plans to fill the material gaps in the Bundeswehr by buying back main battle tanks from Switzerland. A corresponding request was made to the Swiss government. It is not known how many tanks Germany plans to buy. A spokesman for the German Defense Ministry said it could be contractually ruled out that the tanks from Switzerland would later be given to Ukraine.

Switzerland has 230 Leopard 2 tanks, of which 134 are in service and 96 are retired. The defense ministry in Bern said the latter had not been “dismantled”. According to Swiss law, only decommissioned equipment may be sold. Parliament decides whether equipment is taken out of use. (sda/dpa)