Group for a Switzerland without an army

In 2001, the GSoA gathered more than 60,000 signatures for a referendum against the revised legislation regulating the structure and deployment of the armed forces.

The GSoA especially opposed the option to send armed troops abroad — a concern that was shared by some right-wing traditionalists.

In contrast to the first initiative to abolish the Swiss army, there was only sparse public debate on the issue - another topic dominated the media and the minds of the people: The September 11 attacks which occurred a few weeks before the vote took place.

[3] Another initiative required stricter legislation on private possession of firearms and a stop to the Swiss tradition to store the assault rifles of each soldier at home.

When the parliament decided to buy new jets 2014 it was possible to collect signatures for a referendum which is easier to win than an initiative.

In another referendum, 50.1% of the electorate approved an appropriations bill providing for CHF 6 billion for aircraft of an unspecified type, to which the GSoA led the opposition.

[8] When the government selected the U.S.-made F-35 in June 2021, the GSoA announced another popular initiative intended to prevent the purchase.