Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

Swiss could head towards popular vote on US F-35 fighter jets purchase

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Aug 2022 16:02
2 Min Read

The left-wing "Stop-F-35" coalition delivers the 100,000 signatures required by Switzerland's direct democracy system to put any issue to a vote.

  • x
  •  F-35 fighter jet (Archive)
    F-35 fighter jet (Archive)

A Swiss alliance seeking to prevent the purchase of US-built fighter jets delivered enough signatures to authorities to force a public vote on the issue.

The left-wing "Stop-F-35" coalition delivered the 100,000 signatures required by Switzerland's direct democracy system to put any issue to a vote.

Once the signatures have been verified, the government must set a date for a popular vote.

"This initiative is only targeting the type of plane," the alliance stressed in a statement, adding that if Switzerland chooses another fighter jet, "the initiative will be withdrawn."

The Swiss government agreed to purchase 36 F-35A fighter jets from Lockheed Martin in June of last year.

The purchase came after the military received narrow referendum approval in September 2020 to spend $6.3 billion on a new fleet.

Related News

US bomber drops precision weapons in drills over Korean Peninsula

The F-35A combat aircraft, which is already in use by the US Air Force and several European countries, was chosen over the Airbus Eurofighter, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, and Dassault's Rafale.

The government claimed that the plane was the best, but two Swiss parliamentary committees launched an investigation into why the model was chosen after a series of technical issues with the plane were reported in the United States.

They also questioned the high cost of the planes.

Read more: F-35 defects put Israeli air force in dilemma: Israeli media

But despite the concerns, the Swiss government exerted strained efforts to complete the purchase before March 2023, rather than waiting for a possible public vote on the issue.

The "Stop-F-35" coalition was formed in an attempt to force a new popular vote on the issue.

"The government and parliament must now do everything possible to enable a popular vote and an urgent and necessary public debate about the largest military equipment contract in Swiss history," the alliance said on its website.

  • swiss
  • swiss government
  • "Stop-F-35"
  • US fighter jets

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS