Swiss Citizens Reject Nationwide Military Service for All in Recent Referendum

In a recent referendum, Switzerland's proposed initiative for mandatory national service for all citizens, regardless of gender, faced overwhelming rejection from the electorate. Preliminary results indicate that 84 percent of eligible voters said 'no' to the plan, as broadcasted by Swiss national broadcaster SRF. The initiative, known as 'For an Engaged Switzerland,' aimed to expand the current national service obligation, which is currently only applicable to men. Under the proposed changes, young women would also have been required to serve in the military or undertake civil service as an alternative. The backers of the initiative argued that this move would ensure the Swiss army and civil protection services remained robust and would introduce new personnel to the ranks. Despite backing from some advocacy groups, the Federal Council, Switzerland's government, recommended that voters reject the initiative. Their rationale highlighted the high direct and indirect costs associated with implementing such a comprehensive citizen service program, which would burden the federal government, local cantons, and the national economy. At present, Switzerland maintains a national service obligation for men, who can choose between military and civil duties, whereas women currently have the option to voluntarily enlist in the armed forces or take on civil service roles. The Swiss army targets a personnel strength of 100,000 soldiers, a figure that has raised ongoing discussions about recruitment and the effectiveness of volunteer enlistment. The significant rejection of the initiative suggests a strong preference among Swiss voters for the existing structure of national service, reflecting the country's unique stance on military obligations and gender roles in civic responsibilities. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2