War material law supporters budget five times more than opponents
Friday 30th October 2026 on 14:31 in
Switzerland
Supporters of easing Switzerland’s war-material export rules have budgeted just over 3 million francs for their campaign, nearly five times the amount declared by opponents, SRF reports. The proposal goes to a vote on November 29.
Centre-right parties, industry association Swissmem and business federation Economiesuisse are backing the “yes” campaign. The referendum committee and the Social Democratic Party have declared a combined 580,000 francs for the opposing campaign.
The figures were published by the Swiss Federal Audit Office. Campaign budgets exceeding 50,000 francs must be disclosed, along with donors who contribute 15,000 francs or more. In total, campaigns reported 6.56 million francs for the November 29 votes.
The amendment would allow western partner countries to buy war material from Switzerland under certain conditions even if they are involved in an armed conflict. Buyers would not always have to guarantee that they would not pass on the material to another state. The Federal Council could still require such a guarantee or block deliveries for foreign policy, neutrality or security reasons. It says direct and indirect deliveries to Ukraine would remain prohibited.
Parliament approved the changes in December 2025. Left-wing parties and organisations launched a referendum, while the Federal Council and Parliament recommend approval.
For the proposal to finance the 13th state pension through a higher value-added tax, opponents have declared just over 1 million francs, including more than 800,000 francs from the FDP. Supporters, led by the Trade Union Federation and the Social Democratic Party, plan to spend 581,000 francs.
Supporters of the fireworks initiative have declared 875,000 francs, some of it from Swiss Animal Protection. The group Pro Fireworks has budgeted 100,000 francs for its opposition campaign. The two sides have declared equal funding for the Centre Party’s initiative on the marriage tax penalty, which would retain joint taxation of married couples for federal income tax despite voters approving individual taxation on March 8, 2026.