Challenges mount at the DDPS amid high-profile departures It is all change at the top of the defence ministry (DDPS). Viola Amherd announced in January that she would be stepping down as Federal Councillor and head of the DDPS (see page 26). In February came the news that Chief of the Armed Forces Thomas Süssli, and the head of the Federal Intelligence Service, Christian Dussey, would be leaving their posts – only days after the commander of the Swiss Air Force, Peter Merz, had resigned. The departures mean that Amherd’s successor in the Federal Council, Martin Pfister, voted in on 12 March, immediately has some very important staffing decisions to make. (MUL) SFAO audits accuse armaments company RUAG of fraud In February, the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) released three audits detailing suspected fraud at the state-owned armaments company RUAG. The SFAO found irregularities in the purchase and sale of spare parts for Leopard tanks, with estimated financial damages to the state “in the high double-digit million range”. The SFAO also criticised a lack of oversight, finding that there was “a questionable culture” and “significant organisational shortcomings” at RUAG. It also questioned the role of the defence ministry (DDPS). In 2019, a whistleblower contacted the DDPS with information about suspicious activities. The SFAO says that the DDPS did “not respond appropriately”. (MUL) The Federal Council acknowledges “crimes against humanity” committed against the Yenish and Sinti communities Between 1926 and 1973, the Kinder der Landstrasse programme, run by the Pro Juventute charity, forcibly removed 600 Yenish children from their families and placed them in homes or with foster parents. Church charities and authorities did the same. As many as 2,000 people were affected, many of whom were placed under guardianship at an adult age, prohibited from marrying or even sterilised against their will. Based on a legal report, the Federal Council now admits that “crimes against humanity” were committed against the Yenish and Sinti communities, and acknowledges that the state shares responsibility for the injustice. The victims themselves had previously called for the crime to be classed as “cultural genocide”. Link to the report (in German only): www.revue.link/jenische (MUL) Ariane Rustichelli steps down as OSA director – and is succeeded by Lukas Weber Ariane Rustichelli stepped down as director of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) in April (more on page 34). At the time of our editorial deadline came the news that Lukas Weber had been appointed as her successor. “Swiss Review” will introduce Weber in the next issue. The OSA published a media release (in German) to announce Weber’s appointment: www.revue.link/weber (MUL) Germaine Seewer Germaine Seewer is the highest-ranking woman in the Swiss Armed Forces. “She is actually the highest-ranking woman in Swiss history,” says Delphine Schwab-Allemand, spokesperson for the armed forces. Major General Seewer has been the head of international relations for the armed forces since 1 August 2024. Her rank is equivalent to a divisional commander in other countries. Her mission is to direct and coordinate relations with foreign armies. The career soldier was the first female brigadier general in the Swiss Armed Forces. She then oversaw the training of military officers. The native of Upper Valais is remarkable in two respects. She holds a rank traditionally reserved for men and is one of the 1.6 per cent of women in the Swiss Armed Forces. In March 2024, there were 2,301 women enlisted. Germaine Seewer was born in Leuk and studied chemistry at ETH Zurich, obtaining a doctorate in the quality of pork meat and fat. She worked as a scientist at the Federal Animal Production Research Station (Fribourg). In 1998, she began her peripatetic military career, serving in missions in Kosovo then in Ethiopia and Eritrea. In 2009, her name was mentioned as a potential successor to head of the armed forces Philippe Rebord. “Her CV is perfect, except where it says she comes from Valais,” claimed Valais newspaper “Le Nouvelliste”. A German-speaking Swiss, Thomas Süssli, pipped her to the post. Germaine Seewer still lives in Valais. She loves the mountains, and has taken part in the Patrouille des glaciers (a ski mountaineering race organised by the Swiss Armed Forces). Another trait of her personality is discretion and reserve. One exception was when she came out in favour of the women’s strike in 2019, judging it to be “necessary”. She did not, however, join the protest marches in the streets. STÉPHANE HERZOG Photo: Herbert Zimmermann/13Photo Swiss Review / April 2025 / No.2 8 Top pick News
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