Politics · Switzerland · 34 mins ago
Swiss voters to decide on easing rules for weapons exports
On 29 November, Swiss voters will decide whether to ease the War Material Act, which governs arms exports.
The government and parliament support the changes, arguing that Switzerland needs a competitive defence industry.
Opponents say the proposal could weaken controls and increase the risk that Swiss weapons reach abusive governments.
Supporters say Switzerland’s neutrality is respected and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs would still review each export request.
The proposal would shift oversight from parliament to the Federal Council, a change critics say reduces parliamentary control.
The debate also includes Ukraine: opponents call the measure anti-Ukraine, while President Guy Parmelin says Ukraine would not directly benefit.
The referendum on 29 November will decide whether the changes take effect.
Swiss voters will decide on 29 November whether to ease the country’s War Materiel Act, which governs weapons exports.
The proposed changes would make exports to 36 Western countries easier and remove the requirement that recipient states promise not to re-export Swiss weapons.
Supporters say the changes would help maintain a competitive defence industry and strengthen Switzerland’s defence capacity.
Opponents say the changes weaken controls, risk weapons reaching abusive regimes and do not allow transfers to Ukraine.
The government says Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs would continue to review each export application.
- Who
- Swiss voters will decide on the proposed changes. Supporters include the Federal Council and Parliament; opponents include the SP, Greens, EVP and Amnesty International Switzerland.
- What
- A vote on easing the War Materiel Act’s rules for weapons exports.
- When
- 29 November 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- Supporters say the changes are needed for a competitive defence industry and stronger defence capacity; opponents say they weaken export controls and human-rights protections.
Supporters of easing the War Materiel Act
Opponents of easing the War Materiel Act
Defence industry
Supporters of easing the War Materiel Act
Supporters say a functioning, competitive arms industry is needed for Switzerland’s defence and international cooperation.
Opponents of easing the War Materiel Act
Opponents say Switzerland does not need an export-oriented arms industry for a good army.
Export controls
Supporters of easing the War Materiel Act
Supporters say the law would provide flexibility while the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs continues to review each export application.
Opponents of easing the War Materiel Act
Opponents say Switzerland would lose control over exports and that oversight would shift from Parliament to the Federal Council.
Ukraine and re-exports
Supporters of easing the War Materiel Act
Supporters say the changes respect Swiss neutrality; exports to Ukraine would still be subject to the re-export ban.
Opponents of easing the War Materiel Act
Opponents call the proposal anti-Ukraine because it would not enable transfers of Swiss weapons to Ukraine.
Parliament worked on revising the War Materiel Act.
The proposal was debated on the SRF programme Arena.
Swiss voters are due to decide on the proposed changes.
- Vote date
- 29 November 2026
- Countries covered
- 36 Western states
- Arms exports in the previous year
- 948 million Swiss francs
- Change from 2024
- 43 percent increase
- Export applications
- The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs would continue to review each one.
2 sources
What people are saying
Jetzt haben wir ein gutes Gesetz
Es wäre verantwortungslos, wenn wir die Verteidigungsfähigkeit der Schweiz nicht wiederherstellen würden. Und dazu gehört auch eine funktionierende Rüstungsindustrie.
Es ist eine Frage der Zeit, bis Schweizer Waffen bei Unrechtsregimen landen
Die Schweiz muss Verantwortung übernehmen für ihre Waffenexporte