Switzerland’s National Council is debating a CHF 250 million reduction in international development aid (IZA), prioritizing military funding instead. Development economist Isabel Günther warns that these cuts could result in a total reduction of CHF 650 million, affecting global education, health, and poverty alleviation efforts. With current spending at 0.42% of GDP—below the recommended 0.7%—the planned reductions may damage Switzerland’s international reputation. Meanwhile, surveys reveal that 80% of the Swiss population favors maintaining or increasing development aid budgets, reflecting a strong sense of global solidarity.