Federal Councillor Viola Amherd to step down from her role as Switzerland's army and defence minister at the end of March 2025, following pressure from the Swiss People's Party.
"Amherd had put Switzerland's freedom, neutrality and external and internal security at risk"
Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, Switzerland's army and defence minister, has announced her resignation effective at the end of March 2025. The 62-year-old Centre Party politician, who has served as Federal Councillor since 2019, made this unexpected announcement amidst growing political pressure. This development marks a significant shift in Switzerland's federal government leadership.
The resignation comes following intense pressure from the Swiss People's Party (UDC/SVP), which had publicly demanded Amherd step down. The UDC/SVP accused her of compromising Switzerland's freedom, neutrality, and security. The party specifically criticized her focus on gender issues in the army rather than military equipment modernization. In response, Centre Party parliamentary members defended Amherd, pointing to the UDC/SVP's own track record in military leadership during previous decades.
Amherd's tenure as Defense Minister has been marked by challenging circumstances, particularly the evolving security situation in Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Her position required balancing competing political pressures: left-wing parties advocating for reduced military spending versus right-wing parties, especially the UDC/SVP, pushing for increased defense budgets. Recent challenges included addressing a survey revealing discrimination and abuse within the military organization, adding to the complexity of her role.
The unexpected nature of Amherd's resignation has sparked widespread discussion about the future direction of Swiss defense policy. While the exact impact of the UDC/SVP's pressure campaign on her decision remains unclear, the resignation highlights the increasingly polarized debate over Switzerland's military priorities and neutral status in an evolving global security context. The search for her successor will likely intensify political discussions about the balance between traditional neutrality and modern defense requirements.