Dual citizens should not be able to avoid compulsory military service so easily.Image: KEYSTONE
Dec 10, 2025, 9:55 a.mDec 10, 2025, 9:55 a.m
According to the wishes of the National Council, dual citizens should generally be less able to avoid compulsory Swiss military service. On Wednesday, the large chamber amended a motion from the Council of States accordingly.
The National Council said yes to the amended text of the motion with 147 votes to 25 and twelve abstentions. This requires – unlike the version originally adopted by the Council of States by Geneva MCG Councilor Mauro Poggia – effective rules for all dual citizens. The advance goes back to the small chamber.
In his motion approved by the Council of States in September, Poggia targeted men with French passports. He demanded that they should no longer be able to fulfill their compulsory military service by taking part in the “Journée défense et citoyenneté” (Day of Defense and Citizenship) in France.
Mauro Poggia’s motion is aimed at men with French passports.Image: KEYSTONE
The Security Policy Commission of the National Council (SIK-N) did not deny the need for action. But she didn’t want a regulation for an individual state. Rather, she would like to adapt the legal basis so that military service abroad must be performed to a comparable extent to that in Switzerland in order for it to be recognized. Otherwise, dual citizens should pay compulsory military service contributions in full.
Martin Pfister is against it.Image: KEYSTONE
Defense Minister Martin Pfister requested that the motion be rejected – even in the amended version. He expressed his understanding that the National Council Commission was bothered by the unequal treatment that exists today. Only in the case of France is there a relevant number of conscripts.
Federal Councilor Martin Pfister and Councilor of States Mauro Poggia in June 2025. image: keystone
With regard to the new motion text, Pfister questioned whether the benefits and costs were balanced. If Switzerland had to renegotiate with all seven states with which it has a dual citizenship agreement, this could lead to legal uncertainty. The perception of Switzerland abroad may even suffer. (sda)