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Swiss armyThe former soldiers may regain service
The Federal Council has approved a motion of an elected UDC who hopes that ex-schools of the army could voluntarily contribute to the defense of the country.
The soldiers motivated to continue serving in the army beyond compulsory service may perhaps do so.
20min/Simon GlauserWill the motivated soldiers who finished with the compulsory military service will regain service? In any case, this is the wish of the national councilor Rémy Wyssmann (UDC/SO), which in this sense deposited a motion in Parliament last June. A motion to which the Federal Council is favorable, he said recently.
Rémy Wyssmann notes in his text that the army needs not only modern equipment, but also arms. However, for years, the army has been warning against the drop in staff. “In 2030, the actual workforce will pass below the 140,000 soldiers after the last two age groups that carried out 12 years of compulsory military service will have been released,” he said. And to add that the army loses more than 11,000 soldiers each year who have not fully fulfilled their obligations.
Bern approves
Suddenly, he proposed that the former army, “always motivated to use the skills they have acquired”, can continue voluntarily to serve the defense of the country. This will allow, at least in part, to fill the lack of staff of the Grande Muette, according to him.
“The restrictions and directives in force deprive the army of any resources and impact the security of the country,” recognizes the Federal Council. He also believes that the introduction of voluntary forces “will make it possible to better integrate the militia army into society, and to strengthen its position within it”. The government is therefore ready to examine the relevant legal bases and adapt them if necessary.
The National will decide soon.
