Politics · Switzerland · 10 hrs ago
Swiss arms-export law change faces narrow opposition ahead of vote
Swiss voters are due to decide on loosening the country’s arms-export law on November 29.
A first poll puts opponents slightly ahead, at 47% against 45% in favour, though support for government-backed proposals can rise during a campaign.
The change would let Switzerland supply arms to 36 selected countries even during armed conflicts and make transfers to third countries easier.
Supporters say this would help Switzerland’s arms industry, while opponents warn that Swiss weapons could reach Israel and be used in Gaza or Lebanon.
In a survey testing arguments, that concern raised opposition by 12.6 percentage points, more than concerns about Saudi Arabia or Ukraine’s exclusion.
The Ukraine exclusion increased opposition by 10.1 points, while concern about uncontrolled exports to Saudi Arabia raised it by 11.1 points.
The proposed change is now heading toward the November 29 vote.
A first Tamedia poll found 47% opposed and 45% in favour of Switzerland’s proposed arms-export law change.
The revision would allow arms exports in principle to 36 selected countries even during armed conflicts and would make transfers to third countries easier.
A Feldlabor survey found that the possibility of Swiss weapons reaching Israel was the strongest factor increasing opposition.
The revision excludes Ukraine, a point that also increased opposition in the survey.
The Swiss vote is scheduled for 29 November.
- Who
- Swiss voters will decide on the law change; the proposal was approved by a parliamentary majority.
- What
- A revision would loosen restrictions on arms exports and simplify transfers to third countries.
- When
- The vote is scheduled for 29 November 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- Supporters say the change would help the arms industry, which struggles to find customers under Switzerland’s restrictive neutrality policy.
Supporters of the revision
Opponents of the revision
Purpose
Supporters of the revision
They say the change would support Switzerland’s arms industry, which struggles to find customers.
Opponents of the revision
They argue that the change could allow Swiss weapons to reach crisis regions.
Exports during conflict
Supporters of the revision
They support allowing exports in principle to 36 selected countries during armed conflicts.
Opponents of the revision
They warn that Swiss weapons could be passed on to Israel and used in Gaza or Lebanon.
Ukraine
Supporters of the revision
The revision excludes Ukraine from the countries covered by the easing.
Opponents of the revision
Opponents say excluding Ukraine, while it defends itself against Russia’s attack, is objectionable.
Blick reported on a Feldlabor survey commissioned by the SP that tested arguments for and against the revision.
Members of the referendum committee held a media conference, where Fabian Molina criticised the exclusion of Ukraine.
The first Tamedia poll on the vote was published, showing 47% opposed and 45% in favour.
Swiss voters are scheduled to vote on the revision.
- Tamedia poll
- 47% opposed; 45% in favour
- Countries covered
- 36 selected states
- Vote date
- 29 November 2026
- Israel-related argument
- Increased opposition by 12.6 percentage points
- Saudi Arabia-related argument
- Increased opposition by 11.1 percentage points
- Ukraine exclusion
- Increased opposition by 10.1 percentage points
What people are saying
That is cynicism in the service of the arms industry
very limited flexibility