DefenceMirror

Defence Minister Suffers Setback Over Armament

  • (Source: Swiss information service)
  • 12:00 AM, September 24, 2008
  • 589
The House of Representatives has rejected next year's armament programme worth SFr917 million ($844 million) for the army.>> The decision is seen as another blow for the embattled defence minister, Samuel Schmid. But the issue is not dead: the Senate the other parliamentary chamber has to vote on it again in December.>> The rightwing Swiss People's Party and centre-left groups, including the Greens and the Social Democrats, opposed the use of funds to upgrade fighter aircraft and acquire transport vehicles.>> The centre-right Radicals and Christian Democrats voted for the financial package.>> Defence Minister Schmid is under pressure both over reforms of the armed forces and personnel decisions.>> He is also at odds with his People's Party and joined a breakaway political group earlier this year.>> -ends->
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