Defense Minister Martin Pfister could soon apply for additional loans for the Swiss army and the Turkish president is having real estate in Switzerland purchased through an Islamic foundation: this can be found in the Sunday newspapers.
Nov 2, 2025, 7:49 amNov 2, 2025, 7:49 am
FDP supporter Michel wants to hold a referendum against EU treaties himself
According to the “SonntagsZeitung”, the Solothurn FDP National Councilor and entrepreneur Simon Michel wants to hold a referendum against the new EU treaties – even though he is their supporter. He justified this with the desire for a referendum to give the agreements democratic legitimacy. At the FDP delegates’ meeting in October, Michel surprisingly called for a mandatory referendum, probably with tactical intentions. On that day, the party decided in favor of the contracts and against a mandatory referendum. Michel’s current plan has met with mixed reactions: FDP co-president Benjamin Mühlemann called the proposal “interesting”, while the SP described his request as “absurd”.
Anonymous complaint against KKS because of the Trump phone call
According to “SonntagsBlick”, federal prosecutor Stefan Blättler is examining an anonymous criminal complaint against Federal President Karin Keller-Sutter and three of her employees for alleged indiscretions following a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump. In addition to Keller-Sutter, her head of communications Pascal Hollenstein and her employees René Lenzin and Heidi Gmür were reported. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to the newspaper that it had received the complaint for violation of official secrecy, but emphasized that this was not the same as opening a criminal investigation. The presumption of innocence applies to all of those mentioned. After the phone call, confidential information was leaked to the media. Keller-Sutter’s spokesman Hollenstein said that the Finance Department does not comment on anonymous complaints. According to the newspaper, consequences are unlikely; Similar reports of indiscretions have been filed in the past.
Islam Foundation supported by Erdogan buys real estate in Switzerland
According to the “NZZ am Sonntag”, the Turkish-Islamic Foundation in Switzerland has systematically acquired properties throughout the country. Internal documents are said to show that the foundation is closely linked to the Turkish religious authority Diyanet in Ankara, which reports directly to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is criticized for political influence and radical sermons abroad. In Rümlang ZH, purchasing decisions worth millions are regularly made. Since 2017, the foundation has purchased or planned real estate worth around 16 million francs, including a new building in Zurich Oerlikon for seven million francs. The foundation emphasized that it is financed exclusively through donations and does not receive any money from Turkey. Several experts interviewed by the newspaper contradicted this. “The Turkish mosques in Switzerland often seem like they are remotely controlled by Ankara,” said Islamism expert Saïda Keller-Messahli.
SP with alternative proposal for Juso inheritance tax initiative
According to the “SonntagsZeitung”, the SP has launched a business-friendly implementation of the inheritance tax initiative. A strategy paper from the SP parliamentary group leadership, which is available to the newspaper, is intended to show that the tax on very large inheritances is possible without harm to companies. The plan is for heirs to be able to pay some of their taxes by investing in climate protection projects, by transferring company shares to a sovereign wealth fund, or in installments over 15 years. This is intended to prevent sales abroad and company break-ups. According to National Councilor Benoît Gaillard, the initiative aims to combat the increasing concentration of wealth. Ivan Jäggi, Managing Director of Swiss Family Business, criticized, among other things, the fact that the implementation proposal would involve enormous bureaucratic effort.
The army could soon receive more money – Federal Councilor Pfister creates a majority
According to information from “SonntagsBlick”, Federal Councilor Martin Pfister could apply for additional loans for the Swiss army as part of the budget debate in December. Insiders confirmed to the newspaper that the Defense Minister has been lobbying the Federal Council for a corresponding resolution for months. According to the report, he appears to have got a majority behind him. His predecessor Viola Amherd had previously failed with similar concerns due to the debt brake. According to insiders, the reasons for the change of course are, on the one hand, Pfister’s good relations with Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter, and on the other hand, an increased threat situation following recent drone incidents in Europe. It is still unclear when Pfister plans to submit his application. Neither the Defense Department (VBS) nor other departments wanted to comment when asked by “SonntagsBlick”.
Swiss pig breeders are lobbying for the use of genetic engineering
According to “NZZ am Sonntag”, the Swiss pig industry is increasingly lobbying for the use of the Crispr/Cas genetic scissors in farm animals. Although genetically modified animals are banned in Switzerland, representatives of the Suisag breeding organization have promoted the technology on various occasions. This would allow pigs to be bred without male sexual organs, which could reduce production costs and environmental impact. “Advantage: Reduction in the castration of male piglets, which could affect around 1.25 million pigs in Switzerland every year,” said a presentation available to the newspaper. When asked, Suisag CEO Matteo Aepli emphasized that deployment would only be an option if it was in line with agricultural and social interests. Politically, the issue is sensitive, as a genetic engineering moratorium has been in effect in Switzerland since 2005 and Federal Councilor Albert Rösti is initially only planning to open up plants.
Swiss customs authority awards consulting mandates worth 20 million francs
According to “NZZ am Sonntag”, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) has awarded advisory mandates worth over 20 million francs. The contracts awarded to two external companies are intended to carry out evaluations (“assessments”) and support employees in their professional reorientation (“newplacements”). According to the tender, up to 2,700 evaluations and 500 discharge coaching sessions are planned. The BAZG justifies the mandates with organizational changes and a shortage of skilled workers. SP National Councilor Sarah Wyss spoke in the newspaper of “many unanswered questions” and criticized the high costs in view of the nationwide austerity measures. The Garanto customs union viewed the consultations as a sign of unresolved structural problems. The BAZG explained that the amount was a cost ceiling; Effectively, less than one million francs will probably be needed.
Swiss ammunition company relocates production from Solothurn to Hungary
According to the “SonntagsZeitung”, the Solothurn ammunition company Saltech is moving part of its production abroad. In the future, 12.7 millimeter cartridges, which are used by the Swiss Army, among others, will no longer be manufactured in the canton of Solothurn, but by a sister company of the parent company Colt CZ in Hungary. The reason is the strict Swiss export laws, which led to many NATO countries excluding suppliers from Switzerland from tenders. In addition, the Swiss Army’s procurement volumes have declined. According to Colt CZ, the approximately 80 employees in Däniken and Dulliken will not be affected by the relocation. SVP Council of States Werner Salzmann described the development as “worrying” and called for a strategic partnership between the federal government and Saltech. “The federal government must ensure that the ammunition factories remain in Switzerland,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.
Cheating at the Geneva solar company – Bertrand Piccard is also mentioned
According to Le “Matin Dimanche”, the Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard is mentioned in criminal complaints against the former management of the Geneva solar company PrimeEnergy Cleantech. Their bankruptcy left a hole of over 150 million francs. The advertisements demanded that the investigation clarify the possible involvement of Piccard, the company’s ambassador since 2015, and employees of the auditing firm PwC. Piccard told the newspaper that this “in no way” meant he was guilty. He always refused to disclose his remuneration. According to confidential documents relied on by the RTS, Piccard received up to 100,000 francs per year from PrimeEnergy. The company’s two former managing directors were arrested on September 30th – on suspicion of fraud and unfaithful management, among other things.
City of Geneva wants to buy villa – value should be significantly lower than potential price
According to “Le Matin Dimanche”, the property of the Geneva comic artist Zep – known as Campagne Masset – is worth significantly less than 21.5 million francs. The city of Geneva wants to pay this amount for the purchase. Real estate experts estimated the market value at around 10 million francs and referred to the collapse in price of the British singer Robbie Williams’ villa in Vandœuvres GE, which was sold in 2020 for 29 million and resold this fall for 16 million. Zep’s property is also not in a prime location, it said. The city of Geneva said an estimate by the real estate company Acanthe showed a market value of 22.5 million francs. The city’s voters are scheduled to decide on the controversial purchase in a referendum on November 30th. (sda/con)