“There is no longer sufficient political and parliamentary support for the reform,” the cabinet spokesman told a news conference on Wednesday.
He added that the government was also concerned that insisting on eased rules for the export of war materiel would have negative repercussions.
In June, the government announced plans to ease export restrictions, allowing Swiss arms companies to sell weapons to countries as long as the arms are not used in an internal civil war.
The announcement triggered a storm of protest. A cross-party group said it would launch a people’s initiative to stop exports of war materiel, and moves are underway in parliament to have a say on such sales.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also appealed to Swiss politicians not to ease the restrictions.
However, representatives of the Swiss armament industry came out in favour.
Wednesday’s decision comes shortly after Economics Ministers Johann Schneider-Ammann said in an an interview with the newspapers, Tribune de Genève and the 24 Heures, that his ministry agreed it was “neither realistic nor intelligent to push ahead with liberalising the [weapons export] procedure at this stage.”
More
More
Values and weapons, Switzerland delivers both
This content was published on
Swiss peace brokering and Swiss weapons in the world’s wars are uncomfortable bedfellows. We take a closer look at the issue.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Green Liberal party members criticise handling of Ameti affair
This content was published on
Some Green Liberals say the party acted too quickly after Zurich politician Sanija Ameti fired shots at an image of Jesus and Mary.
This content was published on
Switzerland has a new supercomputer named "Alps", officially inaugurated on Saturday at the National Supercomputing Centre in Lugano.
Cold front leads to record-low temperatures in Switzerland
This content was published on
Friday's cold front caused record temperatures and closed mountain passes. The snow line was between 1,200 and 1,500m on Saturday, MeteoSwiss reported.
Collecting of vote signatures to continue in Switzerland as planned
This content was published on
The Swiss government is refraining from taking drastic emergency measures following the revelation of suspected cases of fraud.
Swiss VAT to rise by 0.7 points to finance 13th pension payment
This content was published on
VAT is to be increased by 0.7 percentage points in Switzerland to finance the 13th monthly pension payment. This payment will be introduced in 2026.
Swiss rents expected to keep rising owing to low vacancy rates
This content was published on
Although the decline in vacancies has slowed this year, it is likely to continue next year, according to UBS. As a result, rents are expected to continue to rise.
Swiss government wants to support cantons financially after storms
This content was published on
The Swiss government wants to secure additional financial aid for cantons Graubünden, Ticino, Valais, Vaud and Bern following the severe storms last summer.
Eight years for parents who killed disabled daughter in Switzerland
This content was published on
A couple who killed their severely disabled daughter in Hägglingen, northern Switzerland, have each been sentenced to eight years in prison.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss arms exports still at odds with humanitarian tradition
This content was published on
A Swiss historian explains how the "arms exports versus humanitarian tradition" paradox has been a recurrent theme since the First World War.
Loopholes allow Swiss weapons producers to massage export rules
This content was published on
In June, the government proposed allowing weapons to be exported to countries in the throes of internal conflict provided it could be established that they would not be used by warring parties. The FAO says it is currently possible to sidestep existing restrictions using perfectly legal measures. One such loophole is a provision that allows…
Media: Saudi soldiers said to be using Swiss arms in Yemen conflict
This content was published on
Swiss weapons are being used by Saudi soldiers in the Yemen conflict, SonntagsBlick has said. It has backed up its allegations with a photo.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.