The controversy continues over whether the state-owned weapons company Ruag, was entitled to spend CHF 200,000 on political campaigning against the popular initiative to ban weapons exports.

The group has played down the move, saying that, while it may be owned by the government, it’s free to manage its finances as it chooses.

Ruag executives say the group got involved in the referendum campaign because, if approved, a block on military exports would lead to a 20 percent drop in their profits and 2,000 job losses.

The move has created controversy. Left-wing politicians in parliament’s committee on security policy say they plan to raise the matter at the committee’s next meeting.