Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd has faced severe criticism from the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and some left-wing parties, who demand her immediate resignation. The criticism stems from Amherd’s alleged mismanagement of the Swiss military budget, prioritizing NATO and US interests over those of Switzerland.
The SVP, the largest party in the country, accused Amherd of neglecting her duties, focusing on gender issues instead of strengthening the Swiss army. The party also criticized the alleged re-allocation of weapons intended for Switzerland to Ukraine, which it deemed a clear breach of Swiss neutrality and a threat to the country’s independence.
The SVP further accused Amherd of intensifying cooperation with NATO, which it claimed would compromise Switzerland’s neutrality and potentially drag the country into foreign conflicts.
The criticism is not limited to the SVP, as left-wing parties also question Amherd’s leadership and management of the Defense Ministry. The recent IT failure in the Swiss army and other major projects have raised concerns about the department’s ability to manage its resources.
The article concludes that Amherd’s tenure as Defense Minister has been marked by a series of failures, and her continued presence in the role would only exacerbate the damage to the Swiss military, the country’s neutrality, and her own party’s credibility.