The army has to save half a billion francs

Already in late summer there was a crisis of trust towards army chief Thomas Süssli, How researching the “NZZ on Sunday” show. According to an article from the newspaper, this was suspected of violating the official secret. There was a pronunciation in the Federal Council as to whether the army chef still enjoys trust. Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter is said to have requested his resignation. The VBS then submitted a criminal complaint to the Federal Prosecutor's Office for suspected violation of the official marriage against unknown persons.

In autumn 2024, the lawyers of the Zurich Homburg law firm received a explosive order: they should clarify how sensitive documents had reached the press too early. The focus of the administrative examination: Army chief Thomas Süssli. The “Sonntagszeitung” also reports on this. It was about documents on the army finances that the group of experts around Serge Gaillard had developed. There were several critical voices in the Federal Council, whereupon Defense Minister Viola Amherd commissioned the investigation. The investigators surveyed Süssli – and he was relieved.

However, the investigation, in which other people were also interviewed, is a further evidence of the crisis between the defense and financial department. This week expanded to the parties of the two Federal Councilors Viola Amherd and Karin Keller-Sutter. This is based on a new leak – to the dismissals of Süssli and the secret service chief. SP-Standstädin Franziska Roth makes “features of a government crisis” that affects the entire Federal Council.

« We have bigger problems to solve »

And Priska Seiler Graf, President of the Security Policy Commission (SIK), sees the disputes as a poison for the relationship of trust in the committee. « In view of the geopolitical situation, we have to solve major problems than disputes between federal councils, » says Seiler Graf.

In fact, new internal documents from the VBS show that the army is financially in a tense situation. It has to save half a billion francs. As the internal papers show, this means the deletion of 260 positions – with logistics 100 alone. «That is violent. This is a contradiction to the plans to make the army fully defensive again, »says the SVP Councilor Werner Salzmann.

The VBS does not know where its data is

There are also blatant security deficiencies in the crisis. Because the VBS neglects data security for external IT service providers, How researching the “NZZ on Sunday” show. According to a new, internal report, the VBS does not know where there are delicate data from it everywhere. « An overview can only be created with time -consuming and manual work steps where sensitive data may be published to external suppliers, » the auditors write.

Security politicians from left and right criticize the VBS for his step -ups dealing with data security. « In view of the current geopolitical situation, this is a highly worrying result, » says the Vice President of the Security Policy Commission and FDP National Councilor Jacqueline de Quattro.

Who clears up? Now Martin Pfister is also presenting his plan

According to Markus Ritter, Federal Council candidate Martin Pfister now says how he wants to clean up the defense department: with a three-point plan, The “Sonntagsblick” reports. First, security policy should become a question of the Federal Council college. A holistic strategic direction of the army is needed.

Second, calm and trust must be created. For this purpose, incidents are to be enlightened, teachings were drawn and measures taken. For Pfister, a reintegration of Ruag MRO is also possible in the VBS. Third, Pfister wants to set up VBS more efficiently, leaner and targeted. Today there is a large number of different administrative units in the VBS, said Pfister. For a reorganization, change of personnel are a chance and in this sense to evaluate positively. (PIN)