Green Raphaël Mahaim defends a sacred union for the purchase of Canadairs

Green National Councilor Raphaël Mahaim believes the time is ripe to urge the Swiss Federal Council to re-evaluate its position on acquiring Canadair water-bombing aircraft. He argues that the recent spate of simultaneous wildfires across Spain, France, Greece, and Portugal has exposed the limitations of Europe's current firefighting capabilities.

"The novelty? Simultaneous fires in Spain, France, Greece, and Portugal show the limits of European capacities. France is debating the unpreparedness of its authorities. We must acknowledge the unpreparedness of the Federal Council today," Mahaim stated. He plans to submit a motion when parliament reconvenes in September, calling on the Federal Council to purchase one or more Canadair planes or a comparable alternative.

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The novelty? Simultaneous fires in Spain, France, Greece, and Portugal show the limits of European capacities. France is debating the unpreparedness of its authorities. We must acknowledge the unpreparedness of the Federal Council today.

Mahaim intends to rally parliamentary colleagues to build the broadest possible support for his motion. "We need a sacred union to twist the Federal Council's arm if necessary," he explained. The increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires across Europe have prompted Swiss lawmakers to question the nation's preparedness.

This push for aerial firefighting resources echoes a recent move in Geneva. The local Centre party announced it had filed a motion in the Grand Council, urging the State Council to engage in discussions with French-speaking cantons, the Confederation, and French authorities. The goal is to establish coordinated action, particularly for the pooled acquisition of aerial means to combat forest fires.

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We need a sacred union to twist the Federal Council's arm if necessary.