New Swiss government minister prepared for defence mandate

Pfister would be delighted with the Defence Department Keystone-SDA

New Swiss government minister Martin Pfister says he is prepared for the defence mandate should he be asked to occupy the vacant position.

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“I have a great desire to lead [the defence ministry],” he said, adding that he is also be prepared to take on any other department.

When Pfister takes office on 1 April it is assumed that he will take over the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). However, this is not set in stone – the Federal Council will make the departmental allocation on Friday.

Pfister is taking up his post “with great respect, enormous pleasure and a great deal of confidence”, he said after the election in Bern on Wednesday. He will do everything in his power to ensure that people in Switzerland continue to do well.

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Pfister remained vague about the probable takeover of the DDPS: “I won’t give you a detailed work programme that would affect the work of the defence department.”

Affinity with security policy

As an army colonel and historian, Pfister has a strong affinity with security policy issues . He is taking office at a time that brings new geopolitical upheavals every day. “I will therefore always work with a view to a Switzerland that must preserve its prosperity and be agile and innovative in the name of its sovereignty and independence.”

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The next defence minister will be responsible for equipping and funding the armed forces. However, Pfister emphasised that the further development of the armed forces was a matter for the entire Federal Council and parliament.

One of his tasks would be personnel decisions – army chief Thomas Süssli, intelligence service chief Christian Dussey and air force chief Peter Merz have announced their resignations. He must be able to set the course quickly, said Pfister. “I have certain advantages because I know the work of government and leadership.”

NATO relationship changing

“The NATO relationship is changing, we don’t know in which direction,” said Pfister. Switzerland must find a role in this new geopolitical situation.

In the area of security, interoperability and cooperation with other countries are important to him, said Pfister. This must be continued “if security is important to us”.

With regard to the planned and approved funds for the army, he said: “Parliament must ensure that these funds are used efficiently.” This is now one of the most important tasks in the first phase. “We need the confidence of parliament.” This would allow the funds earmarked until 2032 to be allocated.

Pfister says he wants to remain in the Federal Council for at least seven years or two terms. “You have to commit yourself for a certain period of time,” he said at the start of his election campaign.

Translated from German with DeepL/mga

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