Swiss army chief’s actions irritate politicians from left to right

The Swiss army has to save money and is cancelling several events with a public audience. This is causing a political stir. The army wanted to show its best side in Emmen in Lucerne, in Bière in Vaud and on the Axalp in the Bernese Oberland. However, the three major events that were planned for this year and next have been cancelled owing to cost-cutting measures. The head of the army, Thomas Süssli, explained to the Tagesschau programme on Swiss public television, SRF, on Sunday that, among other things, operating costs had risen. According to Süssli, it was only last Wednesday that the decision to cancel the major events was made. + Swiss army chief wants to refocus on defence This raises questions. Politicians involved in security criticise the fact that they were not informed about this important decision. Priska Seiler Graf from the left-wing Social Democratic Party and president of the House of Representative’s Security Policy Committee, says: “I am very irritated and so...