Swiss voters oppose F-35 fighter jet deal, poll shows

Swiss voters: Swiss voters are the electorate of Switzerland, which uses direct-democracy mechanisms alongside representative institutions to decide major national issues. They are relevant to this news because a recent poll found broad opposition to continuing the country’s planned purchase of F-35 fighter jets, amid controversy over the contract’s purported fixed-price terms. Public_opinion: A recent Tamedia and 20 Minuten poll reported that opposition to proceeding with the F-35 purchase substantially exceeded support among Swiss respondents. Political_context: Opposition to the deal has intensified amid criticism of the procurement process and strained trade relations with the administration of President Donald Trump. Parliamentary_oversight: Switzerland’s National Council Control Committee concluded that no blanket fixed-price agreement for the F-35 procurement had been agreed with the United States, despite repeated official claims to the contrary.