The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (NDB) is facing a deep crisis. Following a series of controversial reforms and growing internal discontent, a significant number of staff members have left the organization. A recent internal survey gave the leadership poor marks and the Federal Public Service Employees’ Association (PVB) has spoken out in unusually sharp terms, describing the leadership as one of the worst in recent years. The stress within the service is “no longer tolerable” the PVB stated.
The departure of Director Christian Dussey, announced in February, has been met with criticism. The transition period of 13 months, negotiated by Defense Minister Viola Amherd, has been seen as a compromise to ensure continuity and maintain international connections. However, the staff views this decision as a mistake. The desire for a swift change at the top is becoming increasingly clear.
Even in parliament, Dussey is no longer receiving widespread support. Security politicians from the Swiss People’s Party, the Free Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party are all calling for a faster departure. National Councillor Thomas Hurter of the Swiss People’s Party notes that the intelligence service has been too focused on itself, neglecting central tasks, under Dussey’s leadership. Similarly, Free Democratic Party security politician Jacqueline de Quattro points to the looming credibility crisis of the NDB both domestically and internationally. Social Democratic Party National Councillor Barbara Gysi describes it as an “insult” that Dussey is still expected to remain in office for another year despite the broken trust relationship.
The criticism is not only directed at Dussey’s leadership style but also at the in-content decisions of the past few years. The merger of the counter-terrorism unit with the extremism-fighting unit, which led to the loss of specialized expertise, is a particularly contentious issue. The timing of this move, just after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, during a period of heightened Islamist threats, has further exacerbated the discontent.
Additionally, the relocation of workspaces from the NDB’s main office in Bern to a building with publicly accessible rooms, right next to an online news outlet’s editorial office, has also raised eyebrows within the service.
The NDB itself cites the limited personnel resources and the changing threat landscape as reasons for its decisions. The war in Ukraine and hybrid threats have forced the service to prioritize new areas, with terrorism now seen as just one element in a more complex threat picture. However, the army was still forced to transfer ten staff members to the NDB in January to strengthen the under-resourced counter-terrorism unit, despite Dussey’s request for an additional 150 staff members, which was not met.
Whether Christian Dussey will indeed remain in office until March 2026 is increasingly uncertain. The signs are pointing towards an earlier departure, which would have significant implications for the intelligence service, its international partners and the stability of Switzerland’s security architecture.