I'm Swiss and in the Swiss Army and I like to clarify some points.
1. Why the Swiss don't do CAS with the Hornet: As someone already explained, in a modern conflict in Switzerland CAS is tactically irrelevant, because Switzerland is so small. Nevertheless in 2012 the Swiss Air Force wanted to integrate the Paveway 2 Bombs into the Hornets, so the Air Force could precision Strike some high value targets. But the Security Committee of the Parliament decided that such a capabilitiy is not needed.
2. Why the Hornet was chosen over the Viper: Both types were seen as very capable, but the hornet fitted the Swiss Idea of an alpine Fighter better. Because as a Carrier Aircraft the Hornet had a stronger landing gear and with its two engines more thrust. So it would be more handy to use on alpine Air Bases, which are quite difficult to land on. On top, Boeing was ready to integrate the AIM-120 into Swiss Hornets, while Lockheed just wanted to sell Sparrows. In the end the evaluation committee stated that a fleet of Hornets would cost 15% more than a Viper fleet, but Hornets would be 30% more effective to operate.
3. Which fighter will be choosen: First, Eurofighter or Rafale have no chance, too expensive or too old. Next the Super Hornet would be quite capable as it is very similar to the legacy Hornet, but it is probably too big for the Swiss underground caverns. Furthermore the Swiss Air Force would have to rely again on the US (Boeing has the ability to deactivate any Hornet at any time). So I believe that the Gripen E will be selected again, as it is no longer just a project (like in 2014) but an actual flying aircraft, it is even cheaper to operate than expected in 2014 and it's avionics suit is top notch and as I can estimate superior to Super Hornet Block 2. Lastly, the Gripen E can use, like the Super Hornet, the AIM-9X and AIM-120C-7 which are currently in use with the Swiss Air Force, but also all other European Missiles like Meteor or Iris-T. And the last one, the F-35 will be just to expensive.
4. The "Office Times" of the Swiss Air Force: It is a true story that some years ago the Air Force was just available from 08:00 - 11:30 and from 13:00 - 17:00. But they are changing the system now. Today the AF is available from 07:00 to 20:00, next year from 06:00 to 23:00 and from 2020 on there will always be two fighters mission ready.
5. How the Swiss public can decide which Fighter. So first to say, the Ministry of Defense selects which aircraft to buy and the Federal Council decides how to buy them. Then the Parliament revises this decision how to buy them and afterwards votes for or against the purchase. If the public is not happy with the decision (And usually there is always someone disagreeing) they can make a "Referendum" and then in the last instance the whole public can vote for the purchase.
So for example in 2013 the MoD decided they want to buy 22 Gripen E for 3.3 Billions CHF. The Federal Council decided to introduce a new law to create a Fond to purchase them. After some revisions the parliament accepted the law. But the left parties felt unhappy and initated a "Referendum" and in 2014 the public decided against the law, because the Gripen E was at this time just a project. So the MoD had no money to buy the Gripen.
Today the Federal Council decided that the new Aircraft and the new ground Air Defense System (they need replacement too) will be put into one package, and the parliament, maybe later the public, can just vote for or against a "new Air Force". If accepted the MoD receives 8-9 Billions CHF to buy those new Jets and SAMs and is free to choose which types and how many. With this way the MoD and Federal Council want to prevent that the public votes no, because they are just unhapppy with the typen chosen.
I hope I was able to clarify some points and give some background information.
