Security 2022: Army receives stronger support
The war in Ukraine is leading to a more critical view of Swiss neutrality. Security policy cooperation with NATO or the EU is also becoming more popular. Good training and equipment of the army is still required. This is shown by the results of a follow-up survey of the ETH study "Security 2022".
Due to the war in Ukraine, the study "Security 2022" (SicherheitsForum reported) between May 30 and June 17, 2022, a follow-up survey was conducted by the Link opinion research institute. The study by the Military Academy (MILAK) at ETH Zurich and the Center for Security Studies (CSS) initially took into account the Swiss population's perception of security up to the outbreak of the war.
Neutrality vs. international conflicts
In general, according to the follow-up survey, neutrality is viewed as significantly more critical than in recent years. Only 58 percent instead of 68 percent of the Swiss are convinced that neutrality protects Switzerland from international conflicts. For many citizens, one obstacle to upholding the principles of neutrality is Switzerland's international integration.
European defense alliance instead of joining NATO
A clear majority (52 percent, up 7 percentage points) of the Swiss still do not want to join NATO. There is significantly more support than before the war in Ukraine for the view that membership of a European defense alliance would bring more security than maintaining neutrality. This perception has increased slightly since January 2021 by twelve points (35 percent).
The need for a secure army has gained further importance in the survey and has even increased by five points (80 percent), specifically the demand for a fully equipped army. Major changes due to the war in Ukraine can be seen in the survey on army spending. Whereas previously 42 percent were of the opinion that the army spends too much on defense, this opinion is now only supported by 30 percent of the participants surveyed (1003 eligible voters from all over Switzerland).
Source: Federal Government, Defense Group
