Swiss vote "Yes" or "no" to compulsory military service

There are 200 years that Switzerland did not enter into a war. Faced with this and other arguments, the Swiss will countersign, once again this Sunday, the "Yes" or "no" to compulsory military service in one of the richest countries in the world and recognized by the international neutrality.

The referendum initiative broke the GSOA, the "Group for a Switzerland without an army". The goal: reduce the Swiss military contingent, which is currently of 150 thousand troops, between men and women. The vaults of Switzerland, the military cost six per cent of the current federal budget and, despite the small geographical size of the country, represent a superior force, for example, those of Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Norway or Finland.

The initiative to demilitarise the Switzerland is far, however, the consensus among citizens and political class. Even before the argument from absence of direct threats to the country, the Swiss Minister of Defense proves to be an enthusiast of the compulsory military service. "An army of volunteers would be worse than the compulsory military service. It would be more expensive, less competent and would not guarantee our security. We don't know if there would be or how many of them would volunteer for military service. We need a must for our military service ", defended Ueli Maurer.

There are only six countries in the European Union (EU) with compulsory military service. Them added to Switzerland and Norway. In Denmark, is optional. Seventeen countries, including 28 of the EU, already abolished compulsory military service in Portugal in 2003, after the passage of the law in 1999 â€" the discussion, however, resurfaced this year within the Portuguese Armed Forces.

In the Swiss case, the discussion is not new and returned to gain strength through the GSOA. For them, the military forces are too expensive and cause inequalities between those who are and those who do not do not enter. Those who are physically and mentally-approved, dedicated to military service 18 to 21 weeks-they are three weeks per year, for a total of 260 days. To Josef Lang, the GSOA, there's no question: "If some traditions are obsolete and cost too much, we have to shut them down."

How is the law, currently, the Swiss are obliged to fulfill his military service until the 34 years. Among the Defense arguments of the obligation is the discipline that teaches and service that can be used in professional life. Companies, however, are beginning to support the "no" because they don't want to see themselves deprived of employees for nine months. The discussion is on the table and at the mouth of the Swiss urns. This Sunday, make up your mind, then, the "Yes" or "no" to military service compulsory in Switzerland Confederation.

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