Swiss Abroad Are the Back

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THE MAGAZINE FOR T HE SWISS ABROAD

JUNE 2014 / N O. 3

Drmic Seferovic

Mehmedi Stocker Xhaka

Gavranovic Inler Shaqiri

Barnetta Dzemaili Lang Behrami

Ziegler Schär Fernandes Von Bergen

Lichtsteiner Senderos Djourou

Rodriguez Benaglio

Sommer Bürki

Swiss abroad are the back- More and more Major Swiss bone of our national football popular initiatives – presence team – coach Ottmar Hitzfeld direct democracy at the Leipzig will bow out in Brazil pushed to the limit Book Fair International Health Insurance 61 11

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SwissCommunity partners EDITORIAL CON TENTS 3

The Swiss people must provide clarity

ootball fever is currently taking hold around the world. Millions 4 of people are excitedly looking forward to Brazil where the World Cup Final Mailbag will be played on 13 July. Ottmar Hitzfeld, the manager of the Swiss national F 5 team, will make his final major appearance with his squad at this World Cup. This Books: The eventful life of Alexandre Yersin team, as we have noted, is mainly made up of Swiss abroad: 16 players in the 23-man squad live abroad – the illustration on the cover page indicates in which countries. 6 To mark Hitzfeld’s departure, page 22 in the sports section features a profile of the Images: New and old paper cuts man who still faces doubts and fears despite being one of the most successful coaches in world football. 8 Great uncertainty and fears currently exist in Switzerland over immigration pol - Now here comes Ecopop – a new popular icy. After the “initiative against mass immigration” was approved in February, it is initiative on immigration becoming increasingly clear how the demands for restricting immigration contained in the Swiss People’s Party initiative are placing a strain on our relations with the 12 Swiss people reject new ﬁghter jets international community. The Federal Council is frantically and resolutely attempt - ing to restructure our relationship with the European Union. However, as Foreign 13 Minister Didier Burkhalter (FDP The Liberals) explained at Federal Councillor Alain Berset plans major the beginning of May, the bilateral agreements with the EU pension reform cannot easily be amended. The electorate will therefore have to make a decision at the ballot box very soon as to whether it Regional news wants Switzerland to pursue a course of isolationism or to con - tinue along the bilateral path. However, before we reach that stage, we will have to vote on immigration restrictions again, 17 with the Ecopop initiative set to be put to referendum before Foray into Happiness – exhibition on the the end of the year. This popular initiative may be of particular significance to the Belle Époque at the Swiss National Museum Swiss abroad. Launched by environmental groups, the initiative calls for annual immigration to be strictly restricted to 0.2 percent of the resident population. That 22 National team coach Hitzfeld – amounts to around 16,000 persons a year based on Switzerland’s current popula - caught between the desire to win and the tion. In practice, this would mean that if this quota were reached, even the Swiss fear of failure abroad would no longer be able to return home. More about the people behind this popular initiative and the political tug-of-war over immigration can be found in our 24 key focus article on page 8. Literature series: Philippe Jaccottet Finally, we have to say farewell to our colleague Alain Wey. He has been a mem - ber of the “Swiss Review” editorial team for ten years but will now turn his atten - 25 tion to new challenges. With his great interest in the mountains, his affinity with OSA news the cultural scene and his exceptional access to the world of sport, he has produced 28 some remarkable articles for “Swiss Review” and made a major contribution to the Notes from Parliament diversity of its content. We wish to thank Alain Wey most sincerely for his tremen - dous commitment and wish him every success in his new challenges. We are delighted 30 to welcome Stéphane Herzog, a journalist from Geneva with experience of various Echo media, as a new member of our editorial team. BARBARA ENGEL Cover image: Illustration by Wieslaw Smetek on the Swiss national football team

IMPRINT: “Swiss Review”, the magazine for the Swiss abroad, is in its 41st year of publication and is published in German, French, Italian, English and Spanish in 14 regional editions. It has a total circulation of 400,000, including 140,000 electronic copies. Regional news appears four times a year. The ordering parties are fully responsible for the content of advertise- ments and promotional inserts. This content does not necessarily represent the opinion of either the editorial ofﬁce or the publisher. ■ EDITORS: Barbara Engel (BE), Editor-in-Chief; Marc Lettau (MUL); Jürg Müller (JM); Peter Zimmerli (PZ), responsible for “Notes from Parliament”, Relations with the Swiss Abroad, FDFA, 3003 Berne, Switzerland. Translation: CLS Com- munication AG ■ LAYOUT: Herzog Design, Zurich ■ POSTAL ADDRESS: Publisher, editorial ofﬁce, advertising: Organi sation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpen- ■ ■

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Yes to initiative on mass with the policies of the 4th persons and EU treaties is Picasso and the immigration Reich – the EU. sooner overlooked. What now prostitutes of Avignon Mr Blocher has once again KLAUS WERNER WEGMÜLLER, after this disastrous referen- I had the pleasure to share used his wealth to force CHONBURI, THAILAND dum result? As a Swiss person the admirable work carried through an initiative in line living abroad, I once again out by Hildy and Ernst with his own agenda. It is cringe at the ever increasing Beyeler. In your article high time that the parties Cringe factor xenophobia in my native coun- entitled “A summer house for had to disclose their accounts The arguments put forward by try and hope that the ap- modern art”, I find the part just like every employee, em- the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) pointed working groups on on Picasso’s painting “Les ployer and association. prior to the referendum were both sides somehow still find a demoiselles d’Avignon” ALFRED STEINER, once again rather far-fetched. way to avoid a debacle. strange. The “rue d’Avignon” NEGOMBO, SRI LANKA There has been a housing crisis MARLENE LEIMBACH, in Barcelona was a street in the major cities for decades. GROSS-ZIMMERN, GERMANY heavily frequented by prosti- We should not forget the large- tutes in the last century and Waiting game scale riots during the 1980s they provided the inspiration I can hardly believe that we when the slogan “W! W! A majority? for the young Picasso. The as a sovereign state allow Wohnigsnot!” (H! H! Housing Another perspective for once – painting has nothing to do ourselves to be told what to crisis) resounded through the with a turnout of 55.8% and a with the Vaucluse region as it do by the EU. We are now streets of various cities. Com- 50.3% yes vote, only around is just a street in Barcelona waiting for the EU parlia - muter trains and access roads 28% of the Swiss people actu- that bears the name of this mentary elections to finish. to economic centres have ally approved the mass immi- French town. There are in fact an increas - rarely been uncongested. The gration initiative. JEAN DARNI, ing number of citizens in fact that this situation existed JEAN-JACQUES BAUMANN, PARIS, FRANCE the EU who no longer agree without the free movement of MÈZE, FRANCE

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Family policy cation or to feed those who THE SAYING GOES THAT A PROPHET is without honour in his A very good, relatively objec- are hungry? We have to ap - own country. This is certainly true in the case of Alex- tive article. The conclusion is preciate that we Swiss, some andre Yersin (1863-1943). However, Yersin, who was nevertheless questionable. of the most privileged peo - born in Morges in the canton of Vaud, spent most of his One thing has always held ple of all, are part of the hu - life in Paris and then in Southeast Asia. In his novel true – a state’s survival de- man family. It is a question “Plague and Cholera”, the French author Patrick Deville pends upon a woman! – and a of conscience. deservedly rekindles the memory of this universal man and children, an income MARCEL THEVOZ, spirit. and at least 20 years of care STAFFORD, VIRGINIA Yersin was a pioneer in various ﬁelds. The plague to ensure children survive to bacterium “Yersinia pestis” still bears his name today. adulthood. It is extremely He discovered it rather by chance in Hong Kong in important in a healthy state Restricted Immigration 1894, in competition with other researchers, for France that the protection of the bi- Initiative and the Louis Pasteur Institute. Yersin himself beneﬁt- ological family is promoted. I was surprised to see that the ted little from this discovery. By the time his institute

“Working” (today “em- Swiss Abroad were not in fa- genius and universal Discoverer colleagues were receiving Nobel Prizes one after the ployed”) mothers and fathers vour of restricting immigra- other, Yersin had long since started pursuing other paths. need, as they always have tion. This is probably be- He left the Parisian scene to find a new home in Vietnam, done, a safe place for their cause they themselves are which belonged to France at the time. He found his personal children if they work “outside immigrants in their country paradise in the fishing village of Nha Trang, where he was the home”. A society should of choice. As a third-genera- able to give free rein to his wide-ranging interests. He cre- therefore make it easier to tion Swiss Abroad, living in ated a small universe here in the jungle. The bacteriologist meet family responsibilities. South Africa, I want to ex- Yersin was also a land surveyor, geographer, meteorologist, This is also in the interests of press in the strongest terms farmer, engineer, inventor and architect. Impatient and the state as this is the only my opposition to unre- quickly bored, he was always open to new things. He was a way in which children de- stricted immigration. If the pioneering automotive enthusiast and was the first to drive velop into decent citizens. free movement of people had a car through Hanoi. He made his fortune producing rubber That is why we need good led to an overall upgrade in and quinine. crèches which are inexpen- quality of life for all, then I Patrick Deville explores this wealth of inventiveness in his sive (a maximum of 10 Swiss would be unequivocally in fa- novel for which he was awarded the Prix Fémina in 2012. He francs a day), like those in vour. This is demonstrably gets close to his protagonist by employing a kind of temporal Quebec. Good luck! not the case, in virtually all pincer movement with meticulous accuracy and extraordi- KATI LYON-VILLIGER, regions of the world. Before nary clarity. The last years of Yersin’s life provide the back- OTTAWA, CANADA allowing foreigners into my drop. In 1940, just before the Nazis marched in, he visited house I would always vet Paris for one last time before turning his back on Europe for them very carefully, and I good. He had new plans in Nha Trang: he wanted to study Ten billion on air defence would never make a perma- Greek and Latin. In the form of a ghost from the future, Dev- Who are we defending our - nent arrangement. Extending ille accompanies his protagonist through life reawakening selves against? Don’t our this to nations, it is terminal memories of the key stages on his journey. What he brings to members of parliament real- idiocy to allow unrestricted light is a gigantic micro-story from the perspective of some- ise that the world is no access. one who was interested in everything, except politics, and longer that of the previous MICHAEL DES LIGNERIS, who, despite his colonial pioneering spirit, generation? Why not use PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA was always respectful of the native inhab- this money to improve edu- itants and showed no signs of inventor ar- rogance. “The agnostic Yersin is a darling of the gods,” Deville notes. “Plague and Cholera” is full of remarkable anecdotes about this mercurial spirit who has probably been forgotten because he cannot be categorised accurately as a scientist. This novel provides readers with

3 an insight into the realms of both the pathogen and the dis- o. SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR SWISS REVUE READERS coverer. Alexandre Yersin is the travel guide, while Patrick CHF 70 / EUR 60 / GBP 50 DISCOUNT CODE: SWR-0514 Deville is his companion and discreet driver. BEAT MAZENAUER W June 2014 / N The Swiss Language Camp Specialists IE Switzerland | Germany | France | England REV G PATRICK DEVILLE: Plague and Cholera, Little Brown Book Group, London,

ISS www.esl-schools.org T: +41 (0) 21 621 88 88 2014. Original French edition: Peste et Choléra, Éditions du Seuil, Paris, SW Foto: ZV Foto: 2012. 6 IMAGES

Cut-out images Paper cuts have been rediscovered and reinterpreted by contemporary artists in recent years as a form and medium. Today artists are not just using scissors for their paper cuts but also scalpels and extremely ﬁne cutters. They are also creating three-dimensional images. In an exhibition entitled “Papiers découpés. Scherenschnitte. Silhouette. Paper Cuts” at the Château de Prangins, near Nyon on Lake Geneva, over a hundred “modern” works of art are on display alongside a dozen historical paper cuts.

The exhibition at the Château de Prangins runs until 28 September. www.nationalmuseum.ch > Château de Prangins

“Stier Tobi” (Bull Tobi), pro- “Blumenstrauss” (Bouquet of “Löwenzahn” (Dandelion), produced by Monika Flütsch in ﬂowers), produced by Louis duced by Annemarie Grischott 2012, shows two wrestlers in David Saugy in 1946 (above) in 2012, and “Die Fliege” action (bottom left) (The ﬂy), produced by Werner Gunterswiler in 2012 (below) June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. REVIEW Nationalmuseum.ch > Château de Prangins SS SWI Photo: 7

“Alpaufzug” (Alpine cattle “Kopfschmuck” (Headdress), “Angekommen” (Arrived), drive), produced by Ueli produced by Angela Chris- produced by Edith Müller- Hauswirth in 2012, fea- ten in 2012 (below) Crapp in 2012 tures a traditional subject June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. REVIEW SS SWI 8 FOCUS

“It is always others who are surplus” The referendum with probably the most far-reaching consequences of the past two decades is currently keeping Swiss politicians very busy – the Yes vote to the initiative on mass immigration is jeopardising the minimum consensus that currently exists in domestic politics regarding policy towards Europe. And an even more radical initiative on immigration is already casting its shadow. By Jürg Müller

“The bear cannot be washed without getting National Council debate in March: “If I must terminate the detrimental elements of its fur wet.” Adrian Amstutz, the Swiss Peo- could choose between the continuation of the bilateral agreements 1 and 2 – that is, the ple’s Party (SVP) parliamentary group the excessive immigration which is destroy- free movement of persons and Schengen/ leader, quoted this old proverb in March ing this country and the bilateral agree- Dublin in particular – as they are ‘EU acces- 2014 during the National Council debate on ments, I would choose the protection of the sion accelerants’ , or even ‘fire accelerants’ , the implementation of the initiative on mass nation, full stop.” and are damaging not just direct democracy immigration. With these words, Amstutz According to a Vox Analysis scientific but also our economy.” This is the message neatly summed up the current situation and study on the referendum, most of those who from AUNS President and SVP National indirectly conceded that Switzerland now supported the SVP initiative were well Councillor Pirmin Schwander on his organ- faces enormous challenges in domestic pol- aware that the adoption of the popular ini - isation’s homepage. Werner Gartenmann itics and over policy on Europe since the tiative might jeopardise the bilateral agree- (SVP), the organisation’s executive director, adoption of the new constitutional provision ments. The Yes voters therefore attached confirmed that it was working on the launch on 9 February. At stake is nothing less than greater importance to autonomous control of a popular initiative for a purely free trade Switzerland’s relationship with the Euro- of immigration than to good relations with agreement; the exact wording is currently pean Union as a whole, irrespective of the the EU. This suggests that the bilateral ap- being tweaked. Gartenmann firmly believes specific structure of Switzerland’s future proach, which was supported in all previous that 9 February marked the definitive start immigration policy. referenda, is no longer an undisputed issue of a fundamental debate over the EU. This The minimum consensus over the bilat- among the Swiss people either. is also the view of the parties at the other end eral approach that has existed to date be- The Campaign for an Independent and of the political spectrum, the Swiss Social tween practically all political parties in Neutral Switzerland (AUNS) group is lining Democratic Party (SP) and the Greens. Switzerland is crumbling. The bilateral ap- up for a frontal attack. It is seeking to rescind Both are more committed than ever before proach has been regarded as the ideal solu - the bilateral agreements and to simply gov- to closer relations with the EU and no longer tion for Swiss policy on Europe since the ern relations with the EU by means of free rule out the possibility of EU accession. electorate rejected the European Economic trade agreements: “Both packages, ‘bilater- Area (EEA) in 1992. Even the Swiss People’s als 1’ and ‘bilaterals 2’, need to be replaced by Centrifugal forces are becoming stronger Party (SVP), which has traditionally viewed an improved free trade agreement. We do The Social Democrats wrote in their 2010 any further integration of Switzerland into not want any further bilateral agreements manifesto that they sought “the rapid intro- the EU with great scepticism, essentially that are not in our nation’s interests. And we duction of accession negotiations with the supported this policy. It did not question the principle of the bilateral agreements even A word cloud during the referendum campaign on the from titles of popular initia- mass immigration initiative, and officially it tives has not changed its position. SVP General Secretary Martin Baltisser says: “We have to govern relations with the EU bilaterally, but it is the specific content of the agreements that matters.”

A pincer attack on the bilateral agreements It is nevertheless obvious that the SVP no longer sees the bilateral approach as a top priority. Those on the right are seeking to seize the moment and steer the course of policy on Europe according to their own

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. agenda. They are more than willing to ac- cept further damage in relations with the REVIEW

SS EU. SVP parliamentary group leader Am-

SWI donated Photo: stutz made this perfectly clear during the 9

A spanner in the works of the political system In no other state do citizens have more co-determination rights than in Switzerland. Direct democracy is a successful model. The change in the purpose and importance of popular initiatives nevertheless shows that Switzerland’s political system is working less effectively than in the past. Popular initiatives are a “growth market” in politics, and business is very brisk at EU”. But they never really pursued this ob- the moment. The figures speak for themselves: 423 initiatives have been launched jective forcefully, not least in light of the scep- since the introduction of the popular initiative system in 1891. Signatures are cur- tical mood among the Swiss people. This is rently being collected for 9 initiatives, and 20 are either being considered by the how SP parliamentary group leader Andy Federal Council and Parliament or are waiting to be put to the vote at referendum. Tschümperlin expressed the position of the party leadership: the primary objective must 189 bills have made it to the referendum stage since 1891, but only 21 have been be to implement the initiative on mass immi- adopted by the people. And here are the most interesting figures: Only 9 initiatives gration without jeopardising the existing bi- secured a majority of Yes votes in the first 100 years between 1891 and 1990, lateral agreements and their further develop- whereas 13 have been approved since 1990. ment. If this cannot be achieved, “the Swiss people must be given the opportunity to vote Popular initiatives have therefore had a significantly better chance of being sup- on the future of relations with Europe”. The ported by the people over the past 25 years than before that time. There is no clear, SP is demanding that “all options on policy undisputed explanation for this. Silja Häusermann, a professor of political science on Europe be examined”. Tschümperlin is at the University of Zurich, points out that until the early 1990s popular initiatives calling for the Federal Council to outline “the possible consequences of EU accession and were mainly an instrument of the left used to take a position as a minority against the continuation of bilateralism with or with- the then practically closed conservative alliance. This tool was usually not enough out a new institutional solution” in a compar- to secure majority support but it was a means of introducing new ideas into poli- ative analysis. tics. Even unsuccessful initiatives triggered debates in many cases and sometimes The centrifugal forces within the govern- also reform processes that achieved their objective after several attempts. ing parties have therefore become much stronger. The SVP is distancing itself from Initiatives are today no longer just used by the left and Greens but also by con- the EU more clearly than in the past and the servative and right-wing parties and institutions – in particular by the Swiss Peo- SP is no longer ruling out EU accession, while ple’s Party (SVP) and the organisations associated with it. Initiatives are also often most of the other parties are attempting to clearly used as a marketing instrument for election campaigns and as a vehicle to fly the tattered flag of bilateralism. This represents a highly uncomfortable starting generate public outrage or to assert vested interests. position for the government. The new A paradox of the system Popular initiatives are also often difficult to implement, especially when they are incompatible with other constitutional principles or international law. This then causes indignation among the initiators: The SVP, in particular, exerts pressure using enforcement initiatives – it is also threatening to use this tool in the case of the “initiative on mass immigration”. The insistence on literal implementation destroys the proven political culture of equilibrium and compromise of which Switzerland is so proud. “It is a kind of paradox,” explains Silja Häusermann: “The increasingly frequent use of the instruments of direct democracy is an indication that Switzerland’s political system is working less effectively.” Swiss democracy is after all geared towards consensus. The rights of the people were initially intended to have a “preventative effect”: The political players were to reach viable compromises so

Juni 2014 / Nr. 3 that referenda and initiatives did not have to be deployed. There is now a “spanner EVUE

R in the works” of this fragile mechanism, says Häusermann. She sees this as the “consequence of polarisation and the much more intense competition between the

SCHWEIZER SCHWEIZER Keystone Foto: political parties”. JÜRG MÜLLER 10 FOCUS

Popular initiatives which have been put to referendum (as at June 2014)

2010–2014

2000–2009

1990–1999

1980–1989

1970–1979

1960–1969

1950–1959

1940–1949

1930–1939

1920–1929

1910–1919

1900–1909 = accepted = rejected 1890–1899

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

constitutional text obliges the Federal Coun- immigration of just 16,000 people instead nist Anne-Marie Rey were equally involved cil and Parliament to introduce a new admis- of around 80,000 today. The initiative in Ecopop. sion system for all foreigners within three clearly stipulates, in the transitional provi- The modern organisation is very well years, which will restrict immigration sions, that international agreements which aware that the direction of its agenda also through maximum limits and quotas. contradict these objectives will have to be appeals to groups which it would prefer to The question is how, if at all, this can be either amended or terminated. In other have nothing to do with. This is probably reconciled with the agreement with the EU words, the Ecopop initiative is much more why the homepage stresses the following: on the free movement of persons. The Fed- radical than the adopted SVP initiative. It “Ecopop distances itself from all misan- eral Council is planning to present an imple- would lay down specific figures in the con- thropic or xenophobic positions and wishes mentation concept by the end of June, and stitution and leave even less leeway for ne- to contribute towards helping all people by the end of the year the proposals are to gotiations with the EU. The free movement lead a dignified life irrespective of their na- be formulated as articles of law which will of persons would no longer have even the tionality.” then enter the consultation process. The art slightest chance. will lie in introducing quotas without at the Ecopop, the term being a combination of Ecopop – “sinister ecologists”? same time infringing upon the principle of ECOlogy and POPulation, is a prismatic This clear-cut distancing from the political free movement of persons. Discussions with organisation which appeals to a wide range right does not quite work in practice. Ecopop the European Union will take place in par- of groups, including critics of growth as was able to place an appeal for support for allel to the domestic political process. well as xenophobic factions. Ecopop per- its initiative in the editorial section of Sch- ceives itself as a politically independent en- weizerzeit, the mouthpiece of the former Now comes Ecopop vironmental organisation which focuses on far-right SVP National Councillor Ulrich But it is not just the implementation of the population issues. Its homepage states: Schlüer. The initiative organisers were also initiative that is causing a headache for the “Our goal is to preserve the natural envi- able to count on the support of the right- politicians. The SVP has already threat- ronment and the quality of life in Switzer- leaning AUNS during the collection of sig- ened an enforcement initiative if the land and worldwide for future generations. natures. This organisation distributed sig- adopted popular initiative is not imple- Ecopop has been committed to opposing nature forms among its members. Ecopop mented in the way it believes it should be. the overburdening of nature by an increas- also received official support with the col - And another initiative is already heading ingly higher human population for over 40 lection of signatures from the Swiss Demo- for the ballot box, the Ecopop initiative en- years.” A clear political categorisation of crats (SD), a far-right party and the succes- titled “Stop overpopulation – safeguard our the organisation is not possible. It was sor organisation to the NA. The party had natural environment”. This is likely to be founded at the time of the excessive immi- launched its own initiative on excessive im- put to the vote as early as November 2014. gration initiatives put forward by James migration in 2011. As the collection of signa- In specific terms, the initiative is calling Schwarzenbach, but Ecopop rejected the tures was not going well, the SD Executive

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. for “the permanent resident population not initiatives of his National Action (NA) Committee decided in summer 2012 to to rise by more than 0.2 percent a year as a movement in the 1970s and 1980s. In the abandon its own popular initiative and to ac- REVIEW

SS result of immigration on a three-year aver- early days, NA President Valentin Oehen tively support the “more promising” Ecopop

SWI Source: Federal Chancellery Keystone Photo: age”. That would currently equate to net and Bernese SP city councillor and femi- initiative. 11

Switzerland’s immigration and emigration as percentages

1.2%

1.1% = Net immigration 1.0% = Net emigration 0.9%

0.8%

0.7%

0.6%

0.5% 0.2 % limit of the Ecopop initiative “How many people 0.4% can the Earth sus- tain?” is the ques- 0.3% tion that was posed 0.2% by the Ecopop group on their poster when 0.1% they submitted the signatures for the in- 0.0% itiative in Berne on 12 November 2012 -0.1% 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

The combination of nature conservation is- of guaranteeing survival. Therefore, in or- and is seeking to play a key role in the ref - sues and immigration is not a new phenom- der to reduce family size and population erendum campaign. Regula Rytz, Co-Pres- enon. A reactionary ecological ideology has growth, the primary focus must be on pro- ident of the Greens, constantly reiterates existed since as far back as the 1930s. Bal- moting the education of women and girls. that the party has no problem with the thasar Glättli, a Green Party National In an interview with the “Neue Zürcher number of people but rather a per-capita Councillor in Zurich, is currently carrying Zeitung”, Shalini Randeria, a professor of problem. The key factor is the ecological out research for a book with the working ti- anthropology and developmental sociology footprint not the number of people. How- tle “Unheimliche Ökologen” (Sinister Ecol- in Geneva, clearly outlines the attitude that ever, the view of the Green Party’s grass ogists) and has discovered “sinister roots”: leads to demands such as those made by roots is not yet clear. Representatives of links between conservationists, politicians Ecopop: “It is always other people who are the Greens are also actively involved in preoccupied with population issues and eu- surplus: the poor, the foreigners. (…) It is Ecopop: Andreas Thommen, former party genicists, the representatives of a science never just a question of figures but always leader in Aargau, is a member of both the which believes that the population of people a matter of who is allowed to reproduce and executive committee and the initiative whose genetic make-up is desirable or who is not.” The issue of population is in- committee. deemed positive should increase while the separable from that of resource consump- The position of the political parties is rise in the population of people whose ge- tion, points out the professor, as “the in- clear. Only the SVP is still tight-lipped, netic make-up is categorised as negative is habitants of New York City consume more while all the others are opposed to the in - undesirable and should be prevented. energy in one day than the entire continent itiative. In the Council of States, which re - In this respect, the passage in the Ecopop of Africa”. jected the proposal in March, the SVP ab- initiative about birth control in the Third Immigration and conservation were also stained from voting. There are problematic World is particularly contentious. In a sec- an issue in the 1979 Schwarzenbach initia- aspects to the initiative, says SVP General ond development policy section, the initi- tive. Even back then there was condemna- Secretary Martin Baltisser, “after all, it ative calls for Switzerland to use 10% of de- tion of Switzerland’s urban development. does come from the left and green factions velopment cooperation funds on “measures The SVP, which has made immigration its as well”. He was nevertheless unable to aimed at promoting voluntary family plan- priority issue, initially based its arguments foresee what view the party base will take ning”. Urs Schwaller, a Council of States on abuse of the social security system and when it comes to drawing up the position member for the Christian Democratic Peo- criminality, but then discovered ecology statement. The party is clearly faced with ple’s Party (CVP), calls this a “colonial view during the final push in the referendum a dilemma: The initiative is far too radi- of family planning in developing countries”. campaign and displayed images of urban cal for business groups but it may well re - Development policy organisations have sprawl on its posters. ceive support from the party’s grass roots, also voiced severe criticism of this demand. like any calls to restrict immigration. They believe that Ecopop is ignoring the Challenge for the Greens

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. structural causes of population growth. It and for the SVP is generally recognised today that high There are major challenges facing the REVIEW

SS birth rates are primarily related to poverty. Greens, in particular, whose leadership is

SWI Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Ofﬁce An abundance of children is seen as a means firmly opposed to the Ecopop initiative JÜRG MÜLLER is an editor with the “Swiss Review” 12 POLITICS

Gripen fighter jets suffer crash landing The Swiss air force will have to fly into the future without new fighter jets as the Swiss people rejected the acquisition of 22 Swedish Gripen aircraft. By Jürg Müller

The arms deal of the Federal Department of surance scheme. It was also contended that national defence should focus more system- Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) the Swiss Air Force was already too big and atically on more realistic threats like cyber- was hit by turbulence from the outset. The that the F/A-18s were sufficient for policing attacks, terrorism, major environmental dis- Gripen ran into further difficulties during the airspace. asters and organised crime, etc., instead of the referendum campaign owing to various traditional warfare. blunders and poor communication. In the Change in trend over military policy? end, the purchase of these Swedish fighter There had never been a No outcome at a ref- Federal Councillor Maurer acted foolishly jets – as a replacement for 54 Tiger jets – was erendum over military issues. The tradi- Defence Minister Ueli Maurer also came un- rejected at the referendum held on 18 May tional loyalty towards the army failed to ma- der fire after the referendum. Both support- 2014 with 53.4 percent opposing the proposal. terialise on this occasion. This is explained ers and opponents of the Gripen jets believed Supporters had argued that the new air- by various factors, including some that go he had led an inept referendum campaign. It craft, together with the existing 32 F/A-18s, back years. For example, doubt was cast over emerged that Maurer had taken advice from were the absolute minimum requirement to the selection procedure after the decision in Sweden over his strategy. He made sexist ensure the security of the airspace. The favour of the Gripen model. Many conserv- jokes, was abusive towards the media and Ukraine crisis was also brought into play to- ative politicians also questioned the quality portrayed the Gripen referendum as a mo- wards the end of the referendum campaign of the aircraft, which led to major delays in ment of destiny for the army, which even pro- and was supposed to provide evidence of the the parliamentary procedure. voked anger among supporters of the bill. insecure world in which we live. The oppo- The conservatives nevertheless managed It remains to be seen what will now happen. sition – the Social Democrats, the Greens to close ranks to some degree. However, a One thing is for certain: the rejection of a and the Group for a Switzerland without an conservative committee opposing the new fighter jet does not represent a rejection Army (GSoA), who had called the referen- Gripen was set up, mainly supported by of the army but it does have a lot to do with dum against the bill – argued that there were Green Liberals. This saw the No camp ex - the issue of the future orientation of Swiss billion-franc shortfalls for urgent federal tend far beyond army-sceptical groups and national defence. government initiatives, such as education, left-wing parties. Financial policy concerns transport and the old-age and survivors’ in- were combined with issues such as whether JÜRG MÜLLER is an editor with the “Swiss Review”

FURTHER REFERENDA HELD ON 18 MAY 2014 Minimum wage had no chance ernment and the cantons to ensure the Nuclear power station can The trade unions suffered a major setback provision of basic medical care by pro- continue to operate as their minimum wage initiative was moting general practitioners was over- The issue of nuclear power appeared on overwhelmingly quashed with 76.3 percent whelmingly adopted with 88 percent of the referendum agenda for the ﬁrst time voting against it. The proposal had sought votes cast for it. The issue had initially since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in to set the statutory minimum wage at 22 been raised by an initiative put forward 2011, albeit only in the canton of Berne. Swiss francs an hour or around 4,000 by the medical profession which was later A popular initiative had sought to imme- francs a month. The trade unions did not withdrawn in favour of a Federal Council diately decommission the 40-year-old even succeed in fully mobilising potential counterproposal. Mühleberg nuclear power plant near the left-wing voters as the initiative was re- The paedophile initiative also ad- city of Berne which constantly faces jected even more emphatically than the dressed an issue of widespread concern. criticism over sometimes serious safety Young Socialists’ 1:12 initiative against It was approved by 63.5 percent of voters. deﬁciencies. The proposal was neverthe- top salaries last November. The majority of Anyone convicted under the law of sex- less rejected by 63.3 percent of voters. Swiss people are clearly opposed to state ual offences against children or depend- Bernische Kraftwerke (BKW) had already intervention in salary policy. ents will automatically be prohibited decided before the referendum to close from working with children for life in down the reactor in 2019. In the wake of In favour of GPs and future. Those opposed to the proposal, Fukushima the Federal Council resolved E3 W June 2014 / No.

VI against paedophiles who contested that it was disproportion- to withdraw from nuclear power in prin- E R On the other hand, the new constitu- ate, failed to convince the electorate ciple, but the new energy policy is only SS

SWI tional article which obliges federal gov- with their arguments. at the draft stage. (JM) POLITICS 13

The panther Federal Councillor Alain Berset of the Social Democratic Party (SP) has set himself an ambitious goal – he is planning to reform the old-age pension system as this is the only way of securing its long-term future. His two liberal predecessors at the Federal Department of Home Affairs, Pascal Couchepin and Didier Burkhalter, failed miserably with reform bills. Alain Berset’s strategy is to wait, sneak up and pounce at the right moment, writes Matthias Daum in his proﬁle of the politician.

Federal Councillor Alain Berset observes both allies and opponents scrupulously and with great tactical nous

Alain Berset remains tight-lipped. He does longer pensions. Experts estimate that there rate will automatically be increased and pen- not give interviews. He did admittedly make will be a discrepancy of up to 110 billion sions will no longer be adjusted fully for in - himself available to discuss the new vaccina- Swiss francs by 2030. flation. And, in view of the fact that a short- tion law voted on last year, just as he did for It is the greatest Swiss pension reform fall of 7.2 billion Swiss francs will still exist the Sbrinz cheese matured over a 24-month since 1985, when occupational pensions in the AHV system from 2030 onwards, period because Berset is the patron of the (BVG) became mandatory. Switzerland has VAT is set to rise by up to two percent. autumn Tasting Week. However, the SP since struggled to restructure its old-age Federal Councillor is keeping his counsel on pension system. The last AHV revision was The electorate as allies his major project, the comprehensive reform approved almost 20 years ago. It gradually “Berset is attempting to create an exciting new of the old-age pension system. His media increased the pension age for women from chapter,” says the political scientist Claude spokesperson has been effusive in putting 62 to 64 years of age. All other attempts at Longchamp. “He has placed a large hat in the off all interview requests for months. amendments have failed. Most recently, the centre of the circle and everyone now has to Swiss people rejected a pension age of 65 for put something in it.” The previous reforms A tactical and strategic approach women in 2004, and six years later they also failed because there were always clear win- “Alain Berset is lying in wait like a panther up voted against a reduction in the occupational ners and losers. Sometimes it was women, a tree, ready to strike when the right moment pension conversion rate. Parliament then sometimes the elderly and sometimes the comes along.” This is the view of a high-rank- opposed a leaner version of the 11th AHV young. Strange alliances were formed, for ex- ing official in the federal capital of Berne, reform in the same year. ample when 80% of the conservative Swiss who is full of respect for him. The scene is a The minister responsible for social affairs People’s Party (SVP) voters were opposed to Wednesday in November at three o’clock in is now venturing a major gamble. He intends a reduction in the occupational pension con- the afternoon. Berne is set for a snowfall. to reform the AHV and BVG systems to- version rate despite the fact that the trade un- Alain Berset enters the large room at the me- gether. Berset announced his plans a year ions had called the referendum. Now every- dia centre of the Federal Palace and takes his ago. He presented the details in November. one is set to lose, and there will only be one place on the podium. His posture betrays the The pension age for women is to be in- winner – common sense. fact that he was once an elite athlete. He holds creased from 64 to 65 within six years. The “This may be asking too much of some pol- a five-centimetre-thick bundle of A4 sheets conversion rate of the occupational pension iticians,” remarks Berset. “But the voters in the air. He smiles and says: “What we have scheme is to be reduced from 6.8% to 6% know how to deal with complex issues – they to tackle here is far from straightforward.” over a four-year period. It will not be possi- have proven this time and time again.” Eve- The old-age and survivors’ insurance ble to draw a pension from the pension fund ryone concerned is aware that the old-age (AHV) fund will have a shortfall of 8.6 bil- until the age of 62. The same contribution pension system has to be adapted to demo-

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. lion Swiss francs in 2030. The financial in- rates will apply for both the self-employed graphic change. All the scenarios indicate vestments of the pension funds are today al- and employees. The following principle will that from 2020 onwards the profits gener- REVIEW

SS ready generating increasingly lower returns, apply to the AHV fund: if its level falls be- ated by AHV funds will no longer be suffi -

SWI Photo: donated EDI ©Gaetan Bally and these need to cover the payment of ever low 70% of annual payouts, the contribution cient to finance the pensions. But can a so- 14 POLITICS

resort. The trade and crafts association (Gewerbeverband) condemned the measures as “a provocation”. It instead wants to make the pension age dependent on the level of the AHV fund. Pensioners would in this case only know the point from when they could draw a full pension two years in advance. The common sense on which Ber- set is relying is holed up in political trenches. The minister responsible for social affairs still lacks the allies for his project. Even the trade unions and his own party are distancing themselves from him. Time nevertheless favours the left- winger. The closer the year comes when the AHV system actually finds itself in financial difficulty, the more voters will be affected by possible measures and the more difficult it will become to put forward cost-sav- ing proposals. Berset knows he is holding this trump card in his hand. When a journalist asked him whether he had a plan B, the Federal Council- lor replied: “The previous reforms Alain Berset does not have a plan B because previous reforms failed for precisely that reason failed because there was always a plan B in the background.” In short, there cialist Federal Councillor successfully at the tender age for a Federal Councillor of is no alternative to this huge project. implement such an enormous project in a just 41. fundamentally conservative country? If you The newcomer on the left seized his oppor- Haste is dangerous ask around in political circles in Berne, the tunity when the conservative Didier Burkhal- If it should nevertheless fail, the country opposite question is posed: Who is going to ter, as he said himself, no longer wanted to would be left in a real mess and Alain Berset pull it off if not Berset? Admiration of the fight about “highly complex issues using ex- would face the same fate as many of his pre- strategist is so great that journalists even in- tremely technical statutory articles” at the decessors at the Federal Department of terpret his defeats as victories. Federal Department of Home Affairs. A pol- Home Affairs: big plans but no results. That itician who pins his faith on the state, Berset prospect does not appear to unnerve him. Well acquainted with how politics works gave his first major speech on the national After the press conference, the panther Alain Berset’s career has progressed Employers’ Day. It was written by a former ad- makes a few more statements in front of the smoothly at great strides. He was a member visor to the previous CEO of Novartis, Dan- microphones before withdrawing to his tree. of the Fribourg Constitutional Council iel Vasella. It was brilliant. “There is such a “Anyone who attempts to make rapid po- aged 27, a Council of States member at 31 thing as society,” he said, countering Marga- litical headway in Switzerland will soon be and a Federal Councillor at 39. This native ret Thatcher’s neoliberal maxim and appeal- thwarted. Greater progress is made by of Fribourg belongs to a new generation of ing to the conscience of the business leaders. adopting a slower approach,” said Berset in Swiss politicians. He is a professional, not a Berset opened his game of chess with a one speech. But he also remarked: “Appre- part-timer. After graduating in economics move against his own grass roots on the left. hensive citizens are distrustful of any re- at the University of Neuchâtel, he worked Increasing the pension age, reducing the con- form.” A public debate is required on this is- at the Hamburg Institute of International version rate and the automatic adjustment of sue, he added. It is hard to debate with a Economics and then for the public author- pensions if the level of the AHV fund de- Federal Councillor who lurks up trees. It will ities in Neuchâtel before founding his own clines – these are concessions to the conserv- soon become clear whether he will climb consultancy firm. “A Federal Councillor has atives. It is just that they failed to recognise down now that the consultation process on

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. to know exactly how our political institu- it. The employers’ federation voiced its crit- his reform project has been completed. tions work,” said Berset before his election icism, arguing that the reform was not viable

REVIEW MATTHIAS DAUM is an editor with the “Die Zeit”

SS to government. He possesses an advantage for the economy and that the threatened newspaper. His article was also published in “Die

SWI Photo: donated EDI ©Gaetan Bally thanks to experience and networks and all VAT increases should only be used as a last Zeit” no. 50/2013. 15

Lessons in democracy Political education in Switzerland could be better. To mark its centenary, the New Helvetic Society is now launching a campaign and wants to set up a national centre of expertise for the promotion of political education. By Reto Wissmann

“Nobody is born a democrat. Democracy is a social idea, not a natural is insufficient support for projects, he says, and Switzerland urgently occurrence, and citizens therefore have to learn about it.” That is the needs a national centre of expertise for political education. view of Professor Rolf Gollob, and he knows what he is talking about. It is hoped that this focal issue, which looks to the future, will secure Gollob is the national coordinator of the Council of Europe’s Educa- the New Helvetic Society’s own survival, as Hans Stöckli openly con- tion for democratic citizenship programme and works at the Zurich cedes (see interview). The society is fighting to change its image as an University of Teacher Education specialising in political education. old gentlemen’s club and to counter a declining membership. It is now He also knows that a wide range of programmes and initiatives already embarking upon a fresh start and has set itself ambitious targets. exist in relation to the topic. For example, the website www.politisch- Various initiatives concerning political education are to take place ebildung.ch contains a long list of institutions and official bodies in in the eight local groups. The New Helvetic Society is seeking to Switzerland and abroad that focus on it. There is nevertheless a lack support, coordinate and raise the profile of projects of other organ- of coordination and interconnectedness. “When it comes to political isations. It is planning to give young people the opportunity to at- education, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing,” tend national and cantonal votes and elections as electoral observers remarks Rolf Gollob. Far too much energy is wasted. at key locations. “This will enable them to discover how democracy The New Helvetic Society is now seeking to rectify the situation. works at first hand,” explains Hans Stöckli. This part of the “100 To mark its 100th anniversary, the highly esteemed association is times political education” programme is supported by the Swiss Can- launching a campaign entitled “100 times political education”. “The tonal Secretaries’ Conference. importance of the issue is not in dispute,” remarks Hans Stöckli, Pres- ident of the New Helvetic Society and a Council of States member Private funding required for the Swiss Social Democratic Party (SP). “What is lacking is the The main element of the “100 times political education” programme political will to implement the promises made on the soapbox.” There is nevertheless the establishment of a national centre of expertise.

CUSTODIAN OF NATIONAL UNITY The New Helvetic Society – a Meeting ures, journalists and academics from the Swiss Abroad (OSA) was founded in Place for Switzerland celebrated its cente- French-speaking Switzerland as well as 1916 thanks to the New Helvetic Society. nary in Biel in February. However, the ori- politicians and entrepreneurs from the The society later supported Switzerland’s gins of the organisation go back much German-speaking part drew upon the prin- accession to the League of Nations, backed further. Back in 1762, proponents of dif- ciples of the Helvetic Society and founded an initiative to preserve the Rhine Falls ferent faiths came together to form the the New Helvetic Society in Berne. The and contributed to the creation of the Helvetic Society in Schinznach Bad. Their driving forces included the Fribourg author cultural foundation Pro Helvetia, the Stap- goal was to turn Switzerland into a mod- and controversial admirer of authoritarian ferhaus museum at Lenzburg Castle and ern federal state. regimes Gonzague de Reynold as well as the ch Foundation for Federal Cooperation. Educated men from the middle classes the Bernese writer Carl Albert Loosli. Ideologically, the New Helvetic and aristocracy worked on federal coopera- The primary reason for its foundation Society’s stance has ﬂuctuated throughout tion, religious tolerance and the develop- was the threat to internal unity posed by the years mainly between a national con- ment of a national identity in the most im- the global political crisis. The organisation servative outlook and a policy of openness portant pan-Switzerland association of the became well-known nationwide thanks to to the world. day. Its founders included the Basel town the “Unser Schweizer Standpunkt” (Our The New Helvetic Society had 2,540 clerk Isaak Iselin, the Zurich doctor Hans Swiss Standpoint) speech by Carl Spitteler, members at its peak in 1920, while today Caspar Hirzel, the Lucerne councillor Jo- the poet and Nobel laureate for literature. there are still 850 in eight active local seph Anton Felix von Balthasar and the Local groups soon emerged in various cit- groups. In 2007, it merged with Rencontre Bernese professor of law Daniel von Fellen- ies of Switzerland as well as in Paris, Ber- Suisse, another civic association from berg. Ten years after it had achieved its lin and London. Across party-political French-speaking Switzerland. Its ofﬁcial objective with the signing of the federal boundaries, the New Helvetic Society advo- title has since been the “New Helvetic

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. constitution of 1848, the Helvetic Society cated multilingualism as well as the con- Society – a Meeting Place for Switzerland”. was dissolved. servation of national heritage and of the www.politischebildung.ch

REVIEW In February 1914, shortly before the out- unique characteristics of the respective SS

SWI break of the First World War, literary ﬁg- parts of the country. The Organisation of Source: Historical Dictionary of Switzerland 16 POLITICS

“Our country needs this cohesive force” Four questions for Hans Stöckli, President of the New Helvetic Society and the Bernese Council of States member for the Social Democratic Party (SP).

SWISS REVIEW: What has been the New Helvetic Society’s greatest achievement over the past 100 years? HANS STÖCKLI: The greatest, biggest and most permanent project of the New Helvetic Society was the foundation of the Organi - sation of the Swiss Abroad. It has also played a significant role in the establishment of various institutions for federal cooperation. How- ever, the New Helvetic Society has always been a major factor in Switzerland’s unity. It has advocated solidarity between rich and poor, Swiss and foreign citizens, young and old, urban and rural areas, employers and employees, as well as productive cooperation between the political parties and, in particular, the various linguistic Young people at the anniversary of the New Helvetic Society practising groups. the art of political argument The New Helvetic Society enjoyed its heyday at the time of the two “We will go from door to door to raise private funding for this,” says world wars. What is its purpose today? Hans Stöckli, “and we will canvas all the political parties for support The society has far fewer members today than in the past. Like all and set up a cross-party lobby group for the project.” This should other civic societies, we also had to question our raison d’être and result in the creation of a national centre for political education with concluded that there was still a need for the society. The preserva- a broad-based trustee structure and a federal government mandate. tion and strengthening of Switzerland, the nation forged by the will The need for this is highlighted by international comparative stud- of the people, is something we have to fight for every day. These days, ies on the political knowledge and understanding of 15-year-olds. In we primarily focus our activities on the political education of the 2003, Switzerland only finished in 19th position among 28 partici- young generation and of newly naturalised Swiss citizens. We aim to pating countries. The Swiss evaluation published at the time was en- help ensure that people who acquire new political rights and obliga- titled “Adolescents without politics”. The study organiser, Fritz Oser, tions in our direct democracy are well equipped to exercise them as complains of “political illiteracy” in schools, which he says is surpris- responsible citizens. ing in a “model democracy”. Three years later, a survey was conducted in Switzerland among 1,500 school pupils in Year 9. The re- The society’s commemorative publication says that it has become a “bour- sults were sobering – virtually nobody was able to name the three geois association for dignitaries and senior citizens”. How do you intend powers at federal level correctly. And almost 70% thought that the to move away from that? Federal Council decided whether a referendum is accepted. We want to and need to extend our membership and circle of influence. This is another reason why we wish to address issues that Lowering the voting age concern young people and to stimulate their interest in successful The turnout among young adults at elections and referenda is also coexistence in Switzerland. The baton should be passed on to the unsatisfactory: only just over 30% of 18 to 24-year-olds took part in next generation. the last national elections. The average turnout stood at just under 50%. “We must generate interest in politics among young people,” Why are you personally committed to this society? declared Federal Chancellor Corina Casanova at the New Helvetic As a young SP town councillor and court president in Biel, I was asked Society anniversary event in Biel at the beginning of February. A po- by the then head of human resources at Omega and a Free Democrat, litical culture must be created where young people are included more. Roger Anker, whether I was interested in joining a local group of the The Federal Chancellor sees a lowering of the voting age from 18 New Helvetic Society that was driven by critical patriotism. I have al- to 16 as a means of achieving this. This measure has already been in- ways had a strong interest in national policy issues and the New Hel- troduced in Austria and several German federal states. “This would vetic Society is, in my view, a cohesive force that our country most def- make it possible to close the gap between theory at school and prac- initely needs. As a former president of the town of Biel, Switzerland’s tice at the ballot box,” explained Corina Casanova. A great deal of largest bilingual town, I understand scepticism nevertheless exists in Switzerland. The canton of Glarus the vital importance of the coexist- already has a voting age of 16, and the idea has been voted on in 18 ence of different linguistic groups, cantons but rejected in all of them. and this makes my task as President

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. of the New Helvetic Society easier.

REVIEW Hans Stöckli, Council of States mem-

SS ber and President of the New Helvetic

SWI Photo: NHG ©Jennifer Saparzadeh RETO WISSMANN is a freelance journalist. He lives in Biel Society CULTURE 17

World full of verve What were the years 1900 to 1914 like? And is it possible to imagine this epoch of excitement about technology and progress as though the First World War never happened? The National Museum Zurich is dedicating an exhibition to these years. By Daniel Di Falco

“As if he had anticipated the terrible fate that awaited him, the hapless inventor hes- itated at length before plunging from a great height.” The film informs the viewer of this, in block capitals, because this, like all productions of the day, is a silent movie. The audience does not hear the impact which ended the Franz Reichelt show, as well as his life, on the grass lawns in front of the Eiffel Tower early on the morning of 4 February 1912. But we do see the protracted hesitation by the Austrian on the tower’s viewing platform. He is standing on the railings in a parachute suit which he designed him - self. He looks down, sways back and forth, clouds of breath in front of his moustache in the winter air, back and forth again and again. Perhaps he is reconsidering the idea of demonstrating the viability of his in - vention to the invited reporters, and then he disappears through the bottom edge of the screen. The unchecked fall from a height of 57 metres lasts four seconds. An- other camera films him from a distance – it looks as though a stone is travelling to earth with a fluttering ribbon trailing be - Franz Reichelt in his ﬂying suit – he plunged to his death from the Eiffel Tower on 4 February 1912 hind it. Then we see the gendarmes, who quickly carry a lifeless body through the crowds before using a yardstick to meas - exactly like Franz Reichelt, who jumped restraints, and women from gender roles. ure the hole that Franz Reichelt has left hesitantly but with his eyes open. Flourishing consumerism turned depart- behind in the frozen ground. It is ten, per- The symbolism is easy to see in Reichelt’s ment stores into a paradise, pictures haps fifteen, centimetres deep. jump. Was not the world at that time some- learned how to move, communication be- Reichelt can be seen as a new Icarus, but what like Reichelt? Was it not also inspired came wireless, life moved at a faster pace, also as a child of his time. In the period by faith in the power of progress which and the world became more global. The from 1900, people went into raptures over could no longer be stopped? Did it not, de- fact that the rapid change also had its speed and danger, turned pilots into he - fying apprehension and thirsty for adven- downsides and produced misgivings and roes as, even in machines that were more ture, plunge tragically to its own demise in chaos is illustrated by the countertrends - sophisticated than Reichelt’s suit, every summer 1914 with the First World War and vegetarians, nudists, anthroposophists and flight was an adventure that could end in its twenty million deaths? other lifestyle reformers settled into their fatality. isolated worlds. Towards the back of the exhibition at the Without the long shadows There is an exercise in forgetting in order National Museum Zurich hangs a broken “1900–1914: Foray into Happiness” is the ti- to see more clearly: “Imagine you could see propeller. It belonged to the monoplane of tle of the exhibition which focuses on a the years from 1900 to 1914, without the

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. the Solothurn aviation pioneer Theodor world on the move. Psychiatrists were dis- long shadow cast by their future, as vital mo- Borrer who attempted a nosedive manoeu- covering the unconscious mind, and natu- ments in all of their complexity and contra- REVIEW

SS vre that cost him his life on 22 March 1914 ral scientists the invisible. Artists were lib- diction,” says Philipp Blom. Six years ago,

SWI Photo: donated SETE at an air show in Basel. He had been warned, erating themselves from aesthetic the historian and author wrote the much ac- 18 CULTURE

40–60 HP Aerodinamica, Alfa Romeo from 1914 (above) A typical work of art from the period: the “Tänzerin” (Dancer) by Ferdinand Hodler and the ﬁring of a torpedo, probably in 1900

claimed book “Der taumelnde Kontinent” radical social change and technological de- principles, patriotism and the wonderful (The Vertigo Years), which is a vivid and op- velopment. On the other hand, it would ideals for which one dies.” ulent cultural history of the period prior to also be inaccurate to simply view the years the First World War. It provided the model up to 1914 as the “pre-war period” and just “…a good war” for the exhibition in Zurich. Anyone who look for what could have been a reason for Can it seriously be claimed, as can be read has not read the book can now step into it, or factor in the war. “In light of the many at the exhibition, that hardly anyone antic- so to speak. And anyone unable to travel to and often contradictory trends, events ipated the impending catastrophe until the Zurich can enjoy the same experience as a could have turned out very differently,” outbreak of war? There were also people in reader - an unconventional, extraordinarily writes Philipp Blom. It is that “open-ended this country, like Richard Bovet, a journal- colourful and compact collection of impres- future” that the exhibition organisers also ist from French-speaking Switzerland, who sions about a turbulent time which cannot pick up on. wrote in 1911: “I believe we need a war, a be overlooked and is fascinating precisely for All of this makes perfect sense. It is just good war.” And, at the same time, the Na- that reason. that it is not that easy to forget. One dis - tional Bank was seriously considering na- play cabinet contains the Fox branded tional supply in the event of war, as referred Far more than Belle Epoque electric vacuum cleaner, a hundred years to in Georg Kreis’ book (see page 19). What about this experiment of not know- old – the gleaming metal tube on the two In reality, the increasingly intense ing? Blom wanted to rectify the impression large wheels looks like a cannon. In an - rivalry between the European powers had of that era. Firstly, it was not the jovial other display, the Italian artist Filippo long been preparing the ground for the Belle Epoque of the costume dramas, a Tommaso Marinetti celebrates, in his idea; only the weapons were needed to world made of porcelain that would only “manifesto of futurism” of 1909, not just make the situation definite. There was a embrace modernity with the outbreak of the beauty of technology but also the belief that global trade bound nations so war: people of the time were already cap - pounding of machinery and the roar of en- strongly together that war was no longer tivated and perturbed in equal measure by gines: “We seek to glorify war, military a possibility. But there were also people Wise investment – with Soliswiss Wealth management, protection against political risk, life and health insurances June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. REVIEW SS Would you like a personal consultation? www.soliswiss.ch, T +41 31 380 70 30 SWI Photos: Swiss Natioanl Museum Zürich 19

Switzerland during the First World War While our nation was not directly involved in the First World War with millions of dead and wounded, the events that took place between 1914 and 1918 – also referred to as the seminal catastrophe of the 20th century – nevertheless left deep scars behind. In the recently published book entitled “Insel der unsicheren Geborgenheit” (Island of Uncertain Security), Georg Kreis, an historian from Basel, traces developments during this period. “The black cloud that floated menacingly for years in the political skies” has released a del- uge, wrote the Federal Council in a dispatch on 2 August 1914. In a response to the outbreak of war, two days later Switzerland declared to the warring powers that it would not shift from its position of complete neutrality under any circumstances. At the same time, the contentious, German-friendly Ulrich Wille was appointed general and 220,000 men were A straightjacket from the Waldau psychiatric hospital near Berne mobilised to defend the borders. Divisions opened up within the nation itself – the Ger- man-speaking Swiss sympathised with the like Friedrich Engels, a social theorist and Talk of “dipping” into the past and the “at- Central Powers led by the German Reich, while close friend of Marx, who had foreseen a mosphere” of an era gives historians worry the French-speaking Swiss leaned towards the “world war of unprecedented scale and lines. Not without justification. The time Entente led by France and Great Britain. The severity” as early as 1887: “eight to ten machine has after all still not been invented: war being waged around the country drove in- million soldiers will slaughter one an - The present is always the prism through flation up, supply problems emerged, the peo- other”. which history appears and, as in any era, ple lost confidence and a real test of society The exhibition organisers’ claim that a manifestations of not just new departures took place: between 250,000 and 400,000 “firm belief in peace and security” pre - and upheaval but also stagnation and regres- workers took part in the general strike. The vailed at the time is therefore questiona - sion were also found in the period from 1900 army was deployed against them. ble. On the other hand, the same applies to 1914. However, the “frenzy” (Blom) However, Georg Kreis’ book, engagingly to the exhibition as to Blom’s book - the caused by the accelerated rate of change – written as usual, does not just focus on emphasis is placed not on analysis, but one of many experiences people had at that these largely familiar events. He also pre- rather on impressions. And there are more time – is conveyed by both the exhibition sents the results of more recent research. than enough of those – five hundred ex - and Blom’s book. For example, the reasons behind the “com- hibits represent the sensations and confu- plete neutrality” which – in view of the sig- sions of that era and do not produce a lin - nificant level of economic interdependence DANIEL DI FALCO is an historian and culture jour- even then - was actually impossible. Kreis ear path but rather come together to form nalist with the “Bund” in Berne an associative colourful kaleidoscope. also examines the Freud’s dream interpretation and the x-ray ethically dubious but of a chameleon, a straightjacket and the lucrative trade with Titanic, feminism and twelve-tone music, the warring nations fitness equipment and the genocide in the and reveals how xeno- Belgian Congo, Einstein and the wanted phobic the mood was posters of hunted anarchists, tin cans and within national bor- Monte Verità, the 1900 World Fair in ders. This book is an insightful overview of Paris and the polar explorer Xavier Mertz INFORMATION the war years in Switzerland that is well from Basel. He died in the ice of the Ant - Philipp Blom: “Der taumelnde Kontinent. worth reading. BARBARA ENGEL Europa 1900–1914”; DTV, Munich 2014 (fifth edi-

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. arctic on 7 January 1913, possibly of an un- tion). 528 pages; CHF 21.90. balanced diet after he and his companion The exhibition at the National Museum Zurich GEORG KREIS “Insel der unsicheren Geborgenheit. Die with various supporting events runs until 13 July.

REVIEW Schweiz in den Kriegsjahren 1914–1918”; Verlag NZZ-

SS had begun to eat their sled dogs – exciting www.landesmuseum.ch. Accompanying book from Libro, Zurich 2013, 304 pages with numerous illustra-

SWI LandesmuseumPhotos: Zürich times indeed. Verlag Scheidegger & Spiess, 204 pages, CHF 39. tions; CHF 44; www.nzz-libro.ch 20 CULTURE

Swiss literature – a presentation in Leipzig Switzerland was the guest of honour this year at the Leipzig Book Fair, the world’s largest festival of books. Switzerland’s presentation won widespread acclaim. Authors and politicians nevertheless had much explaining to do after the referendum on 9 February.

The Swiss presence in Leipzig between 13 and 16 March was remark- Federal Councillor Alain Berset succeeded in redressing the situa- able – it included over 80 authors from all four of Switzerland’s lin - tion somewhat with a short but brilliant speech. He began with a guistic regions, around 70 publishing houses, cultural institutions quotation by the Austrian writer Roda Roda: “To be born Swiss is like Pro Helvetia, a delegation from the Federal Council’s image pro- a great blessing. It is also wonderful to die Swiss. But what does one motion and communications agency known as Presence Switzerland, do in between?” Alain Berset’s answer was: “At the moment, one is as well as academics, journalists and even Alain Berset, the Federal tempted to say that one perplexes the world and then explains Swit- Councillor responsible for culture. “Auftritt Schweiz” (Switzerland zerland to the perplexed world.” Centre Stage) was the overarching title. The organisers of the Berset also explained how much the Swiss enjoy crossing cultural Leipzig Book Fair avoided the term “guest country”, which is widely boundaries and so are constantly obliged to produce translations for used elsewhere, as after all a large number of Swiss writers belong to the various linguistic groups. He summed it up in one sentence: “We the German-language cultural circle and there are few boundaries have the privilege of having to understand one another.” between Germany, Austria and Switzerland when it comes to Many representatives of Switzerland, from the highly acclaimed literature. young author Dorothee Elmiger to the bestselling author Martin Suter Many Europeans were nonetheless perplexed by Switzerland’s ap- and the old master Franz Hohler, had the opportunity to give readers proval of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) initiative against mass im- a closer insight into Swiss literature over the days that followed and also migration shortly before the opening of the book fair. The spotlight the task of clearing up the confusion and explaining Switzerland to the was on a guest that itself is no longer a good host. After the refer- audience in panel discussions, TV programmes and newspaper inter- enda of 2009 and 2010 on banning minarets and the deportation of views. Peter von Matt’s explanation of the referendum result was widely foreign criminals, was this another manifestation of a xenophobic quoted: “30 % of every society is made up of idiots, Switzerland included”. Switzerland? BARBARA ENGEL

Two representatives of small Swiss the worst for us in Leipzig. I was concerned programme over the following days like a publishing houses, Jean Richard of that we in the publishing industry and our common thread. Whether in the literary “édition d’enbas” in Lausanne and authors would be stigmatised as anti-Euro- wrestling show, spoken-word cameos on the Madlaina Bundi from “hier + jetzt” in peans by colleagues and the audience and tram or the literary journey to the canton of Baden, noted down their impressions as provincials isolated and out of touch Africa, the Bernese Oberland, the Swiss of the book fair for “Swiss Review”. with the world. Before my trip, I was think- guests took all the clichés and examined them ing that Switzerland being guest of honour thoroughly in their presentations. The audi- at the book fair had come at the worst pos- ence appreciated this as I experienced myself At the best possible sible moment. during the presentation of our book “Die moment Schweizer Kuh” (The Swiss Cow). Using var- We had carried out long and intensive prep- ious images, I illustrated the cult status and “You’re from Switzerland, aren’t you, with arations. All the publishing houses had been marketing of our unofficial heraldic animal. that wonderful rolling “R”? Ah, the Swiss, asked to put forward ideas and suggestions for This went down well as the images said less they know how to do things right. They readings, discussions and debates a year ago. about the cow and more about us Swiss. I had still put democracy into practice. The ini- A diverse, multilingual presentation had been everyone laughing. tiative on mass immigration just illustrates planned to include a wide range of cultural, that. As a national conservative, I fully en - political and social trends, and we were, of I am also pleased that Switzerland pre- dorse it. I should probably emigrate to course, also expected to entertain. sented itself in Leipzig as a nation with com- Switzerland…” Bursting with enthusiasm, a plex domestic and external relations far re - visitor to the Leipzig Book Fair shared this My fears did not materialise. When Fed- moved from the clichés. It is difficult to say with me on the urban railway, without re- eral Councillor Alain Berset stepped up to whether we got this message across to every- alising the irony of his words. I did not like the lectern on the opening evening, he found one. But, in retrospect, the Swiss guest of E3 W June 2014 / No.

VI to explain to him that immigration to Swit- favour with the audience within minutes. His honour status definitely came at the best E R

SS zerland may soon become impossible. I was speech was full of insight, humour and self- possible moment.

SWI still too shocked by the result and fearing irony – and this self-irony ran through the MADLAINA BUNDI 21

The “red bench” was an eye-catching feature of Switzerland’s presence in Leipzig. Benches for relaxation and reading were placed throughout the city

Thursday, 13 March. Leo Tuor, a Sursilvan The Leipzig Book Fair places great emphasis A tale of minorities writer from Grisons and Claudio Spescha, his on the work of translators and provides them Now an editor working in French-speaking German translator of Sursilvan origin, are with an opportunity to meet. Camille Switzerland, I spent my early years as a Swiss surrounded by a group of young school pupils Luscher, a young translator of Arno Came- abroad, only arriving in Geneva in 1975. I was whose mother tongue is Sorbian. They have nisch (Sez Ner and Derrière la gare, éditions born in Lesotho six decades ago to Protestant travelled 200 km from the Lusatia region in d’en bas), introduces me to some colleagues missionary parents from Romandie. While Upper Saxony to visit the Leipzig Book Fair. and we discuss the practices and difficulties the mandatory study of Afrikaans at school in I am astonished that they are on familiar of translation, above all when it comes to Bloemfontein meant I became familiar with terms. Leo Tuor and Claudio Spescha explain translating a “spoken” literary work written the grammatical structure of Germanic lan- to me (in Italian and French!) that they vis- in a largely un-codified language like guages, I do not speak any German. So why ited a class at a Sorbian high school in Bautzen Bärndütsch into French. Pedro Lenz’s novel, visit the Leipzig Book Fair? a few days earlier to talk about Tuor’s latest Der Goalie bin ig, which has just been pub- work published in German, Cavrein (Limmat lished in French by our publishing house un- For ten years, I’ve worked for a publishing Verlag). The exchange initiative with the der the title of “Faut quitter Schummertal!” house which publishes the work of Swiss Ger- school pupils gave rise to a meeting between is a prime example. When Daniel Rothen- man authors in French and which has links two minorities who study and write in their bühler and Nathalie Kehrli translate Pedro with German, Austrian and Swiss publishers. own respective languages: Sorbian – a lan- Lenz’s work, they have to create a literary In view of its cultural importance, attending guage of Slavic origin spoken by a community construction which conveys the notion of a Leipzig is essential to some degree, not just of 60,000 which has lived in Saxony since the “spoken” form of French. In Leipzig, authors because of professional contacts but also for sixth century – and Sursilvan – one of the five belonging to the Bernese group “Bern ist the relationships that can be forged with au- Romansh dialects from the canton of Grisons, überall” presented their work on stage. Such

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. thors during public readings and debates or spoken by 15,000 people. Such an occurrence a theatrical treatment of language is rare in at informal meetings. Few fairs of this size gives an indication of the extent of linguistic the francophone world. It would benefit REVIEW

SS provide as many events where priority is diversity and bibliodiversity. Minorities are greatly from visiting the Leipzig Book Fair.

SWI Image: Auftritt Schweiz given to authors and their literary work. real crucibles of literary creation. JEAN RICHARD 22 SPORT

The old man and his courage Ottmar Hitzfeld will make his last major appearance at football’s World Cup in Brazil. The manager of the Swiss national team is one of the most successful coaches in the world. The only thing the German has not managed to achieve is to bridge the divide between the desire to win and the fear of failure. By Benjamin Steffen

sion is final. Hitzfeld announced his depar- ball, he has constantly been on the go. ture publicly on 17 October 2013. He was Hitzfeld was a young father, the club presi- close to tears and had to summon up cour- dent a building contractor with a tendency age to take this step. And as though wanting to be hot-headed. Hitzfeld was aware that to justify this decision – to the public and nobody remembers a manager who fails at probably as much to himself – he said: “It is his first job. Hitzfeld did not fail anywhere, important to step down at the height of your not at Zug, nor at Aarau and nor with Grass- powers.” hoppers. And his instinct for self-preservation also helped him to overcome homesick- Ottmar Hitzfeld announcing his retirement Marked by life ness and to make an immediate impact at The Hitzfeld brand might stand for success Dortmund. He subsequently made Dort- “Mr Benthaus,” said Hitzfeld, “Mr Benthaus, and an array of titles but it also exemplifies mund better and better, and the first few I’d like to ask you whether I can come for a exhaustion. In contrast to other managers lines started to appear on his forehead. trial with FC Basel, assuming you actually of his calibre, he makes no secret of it. His When he suffered with lower back pain in hold them.” On the other end of the tele- body does not conceal the signs. For others, 1994, Hitzfeld decided to use cortisone in - phone line, Helmut Benthaus likely puck- the hair simply turns grey or thins out: José jections to cope with the hectic pace of life ered his brow because he did not know this Mourinho resembles George Clooney, and in the Bundesliga. He took no time off to re- young footballer from the small club of FV Pep Guardiola a self-satisfied, bald ascetic. cover – until the side-effects of the cortisone Lörrach who had grown up in Stetten on the But the crater-like furrows on Hitzfeld’s led to an intestinal rupture. “I was close to other side of the border. But after two or brow look as though they have been etched death,” revealed Hitzfeld in the biography three attempts at restrained self-promotion, in. The more important the upcoming by Josef Hochstrasser published in 2008. Hitzfeld talked the successful FCB coach match, the deeper the lines. They are very Benthaus around. He could have a trial on a visible indications of how much his manage- Not ﬁt enough spring day in 1971 aged 22. When his golden rial career has taken out of him, especially In 1997, after six years at Dortmund, he re- opportunity arrived, he drove the short dis- in the German Bundesliga, which never al- ceived an offer from Real Madrid, but tance across the border in a Volkswagen lows its protagonists time to hang around in Hitzfeld, at 48 years old, was burnt out. A Beetle. He arrived at his destination very a Volkswagen Beetle for a few minutes to get great communicator but no linguist, he early because he wanted to get a feel for his a feel for new surroundings and to find their feared the “behemoth” of the Spanish lan- new surroundings and to find his feet. Ben- feet. guage. He decided: “You are not physically thaus did not take long to decide. Just a few In 1991, Hitzfeld left Zurich Grasshoppers or mentally fit enough to embark upon a new impressions made in training were enough as a championship-winning manager to join challenge.” He stood down and accepted the for him to inform the club management that Borussia Dortmund. Some Germans derided position of Dortmund’s sporting director. this young man should be offered a contract. him as a small-time Swiss. While it is true He once said that it took a long time before Autumn 2013, 42 years later. The football- that he had visited the swimming pool in Rie- he was able to “enjoy being able to sleep bet- ing nobody has become the “Hitzfeld” label, hen as a young boy and went shopping in ter and find inner peace”. Accounts from a world-class coach who won the Champi- Switzerland, he was in actual fact one of 2004 sound even more dramatic. He felt only ons League with Borussia Dortmund (1997) them. But many Germans were not inter- relief when Uli Hoeness, Bayern’s manager and Bayern Munich (2001) and who has se- ested in hearing that at first. Hitzfeld had to at the time, told him one evening that he was cured qualification for the 2014 World Cup endure a fight for recognition and approval thinking of terminating his contract prema- with the Swiss national team. The view of that others were spared because they had turely after five seasons and eleven titles. the management of the Swiss Football As- been big stars as footballers, though often Hitzfeld had felt himself that he was at the sociation was unequivocal – we need to of- they were soon forgotten because they were end of his tether. “I was plagued by terrible fer this now somewhat older man a new con- unsuccessful in management. insomnia. I was no longer able to recuperate tract. On 16 October 2013, two senior At times like this when he has something or to make clear decisions about which mat- officials from the association sat down to prove, Hitzfeld’s instinct for self-preser- ters I should give my full attention to.” He

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. around a table with him with high and not vation comes to the fore. He is like a per- continued: “I was no longer getting any unjustified hopes, but Hitzfeld plainly petuum mobile. Ever since his coaching ca- pleasure out of life. I found every little task V REVIEW

SS stated: “I’m stepping down.” He will retire reer began in 1983 with SC Zug in the a chore. I did not want to get up in the morn-

SWI SF Photo: after the World Cup in Brazil, and his deci- Nationalliga B, the second tier of Swiss foot- ing and was living in my own little world.” 23

sequent knock-out rounds. Hitzfeld remarks: “We’ll see. The round of sixteen is our primary objective. If we’re well prepared and give our all, there are no limits to what can be achieved.” Hitzfeld won’t relent. What has been with him throughout his life will remain there to the end – the hope of not losing because defeats diminish the enjoyment of life. When FC Bayern Munich asked him to step in again as coach in 2007 in an emer- gency situation, Hitzfeld accepted the offer without hesitation but recognised at the same time that he had fooled himself. He knew that he would have come to a different conclusion had he given himself time to reflect. His decision would then have been: Bayern, never again. In autumn 2013, he took longer, much longer, to reflect and hardly anyone knew Ottmar Hitzfeld’s life has been dominated almost entirely by football for over 40 years about it. He did not want others to influence him, to listen to any well-intentioned advice or to prompt people to exercise unwelcome It is astonishing that someone so given to success than almost anyone else and yet he powers of persuasion. He simply wanted to self-reflection has constantly allowed him- feels the need to constantly prove himself listen to himself, his wife, his body and his self to be tempted back to the coaching dug- time and time again – it is as though the soul. He will still travel to Brazil and the fur- out. One reason might be that Hitzfeld’s achievement is not good enough even if it rows on his brow will become even deeper. character is coloured not just by his instinct represents the zenith. He will sit in the Swiss dugout on a few more for self-preservation but also by his pen- The fact that the highly successful occasions, lose for one last time and then chant for gambling. This trait not only Hitzfeld is extremely unlikely to win the last make his departure never to return. He has means he always wants to win but is also usu- match of his career might be seen as a delib- succeeded in giving up an addiction. He ally clever and calculating. In the early 1980s, erately chosen and cynical end. Even the lacks the courage to take it up again. when his playing career was coming to an most optimistic of people would not expect end at FC Lucerne, he was a notorious poker Switzerland to become world champions in

player. When a game was planned for the Brazil. They will either fail to progress from BENJAMIN STEFFEN is an editor with the “Neue evening, he is said to have slept for two hours the group stage or get eliminated in the sub- Zürcher Zeitung” during the afternoon so he would be fresher than his opponents in the evening. Hitzfeld is always seeking to exercise control. Many journalists have followed him AN EVENTFUL LIFE closely over many years, but hardly any have The 50-year-old Vladimir years that followed, he worker until the Bernese got really close to him. He gives little away Petkovic, a coach who spent played and coached in pe- club Young Boys gave him about his private life. But if you listen to him a long time on the periph- ripheral regions in geo- the opportunity to manage carefully, you will sometimes detect a dis- eries of Swiss football, has graphical and footballing a Super League club in 2008. cord which wears him down and shapes his been appointed as Ottmar terms, including Valais, He came close to winning a life: On the one hand, there is the indomita- Hitzfeld’s successor. In 1987, Grisons and Ticino. For a title on several occasions. W June 2014 / No. 3 W June 2014 / No. IE ble desire to win and, on the other – actually when he arrived from Sara- few years the Swiss-Croa- In 2013, he led the Serie A EV V R incompatible with it – is the unconquerable jevo, he joined FC Chur in tian dual citizen also club Lazio of Rome to a cup ISS

SW SF Photo: fear of failure. Hitzfeld has achieved more the Nationalliga B; in the worked part-time as a social victory. BSN 24 LITERATURE

Between two worlds: books and literary ﬁgures among the Swiss abroad By Charles Linsmayer

He put the small town of Grignan in the south of France on the map of world literature – Philippe Jaccottet

The fact that the landscape and atmosphere of the little town of Grig- less.” They are very subtle but Jaccottet’s messages are by no means nan, near Montélimar, which is surrounded by lavender and sun- just dreamy and apolitical. His consistently critical travel book “Is- flower fields, became a setting of world literature is thanks to French- raël, cahier bleu” (Israel, blue book) of 2004 also contains lines like: speaking Switzerland’s most famous living author, Philippe Jaccottet, “I fear that the power of money, which is spread like a plague, will who was born in Moudon on 30 June 1925. He studied literature in ruin everything that is human down to the very roots.” Lausanne and gained access to the leading authors of his day in Paris. And although he certainly does not make any concessions to con- Ever since 1953, when he moved to the small town at the foot of Mont temporary tastes, Jaccottet reaches his audience through the noise Ventoux with his wife, the artist Anne-Marie Haesler, he has discov- of the 21st century too. In 2001, poems of his were displayed in every ered in this barren landscape of rocks and water the “other condi- Parisian metro station and, in the previous year, when the 75-year- tion” so craved by Musil, the dream of real life. Here he has found old was first persuaded to give a reading, the Centre Culturel Suisse the solitariness – “it was a kind of escape so I could remain myself” – was bursting at the seams. that has enabled him to enter into creative dialogue with great literary figures of the past and present. Congenial intermediary However, Jaccottet’s significance can Lightness of touch and reticence only really be appreciated by putting In Grignan, in addition to the “Carnets his creative work, which he delayed de notes” (Notebooks) published in five publishing for a long time, alongside his volumes between 1984 and 2013, he has work as a translator which began with also produced lyrical works such as the French version of Thomas Mann’s “Airs”, or “Leçons” (Learning) inspired “Death in Venice” in 1947. In the words by the death of Gustave Roud, the of Rilke, Jaccottet wanted to become feather-light “Pensées sous les nuages” “someone appointed to extol”, and he ex- (Thoughts under the clouds) and the as- tolled the poets by translating their cetic prose poems “Après beaucoup work. His translations provided the d’années” (After so many years). Jac- French-speaking world access to Rob- cottet dedicated two major works to his ert Musil, Thomas Mann, Hölderlin friend, the lyrical poet André du Bou- and Ingeborg Bachmann. chet who died in 2001: the prose epi- In 2008, Jaccottet undertook proba- taph “Truinas” (Truinas) and the bly his most demanding translation task “Notes du ravin” (Notes from the abyss), with Rilke’s “Duino Elegies”, and it was where he called on the help of Hölder- Quotation: again evident here how this great lyri- lin, Claudel, Virgil and Goethe to take “Poetry is this song that nobody can grasp, this cal poet is able to get into the mind of the sting out of death. Even when it space which remains uninhabitable, this key other poets and to render their words comes to the final realities of life, Jac- which we keep having to lose. If it ceases to be with the subtlest moods and nuances: cottet’s prose always possesses the doubtful, ceases to be elsewhere (should that be: “It was this tone that I wished to convey, lightness of touch, the hesitancy and ceases to no longer be?), it founders and is no the very specific tone of a voice in which the reticence that he showed in the more.” a lyrical work spoke to me.” poem “On voit” (You see) in 1976: “I’ve (From: “La promenade sous les arbres” (Walk stored up grass and fast water, /I’ve kept under the trees), 1957. “La promenade sous les CHARLES LINSMAYER is a literary scholar myself light, /So that the barque sinks arbres” has been translated into German by and journalist in Zurich Friedhelm Kemp as “Der Spaziergang unter Bäumen”, Benziger-Verlag, Zurich 1981. It is currently out of print.)

W June 2014 / No. 3 W June 2014 / No. Bibliography: German translations of Jaccottet’s works are available in several volumes from EVIE

R Hanser-Verlag, Munich. The original French ver-

ISS sions, including the 1626-page Pléiade edition of

SW Keystone Photo: “Œuvres”, are available from Gallimard, Paris. ORGANISATIO N O F THE SWISS ABRO AD 25

OSA advice person concerned is no longer registered regularly ask their eligible voters abroad in Switzerland but is still in possession of to do this, while others do not. The forms Shortly after my 70th birthday, I received a a Swiss driving licence. for enrolment and renewal can be found demand from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Swiss citizens whose definitive place of at: www.eda.admin.ch > Documentation > Office regarding a mandatory medical exami- residence is abroad but who still hold a Publications > Swiss Abroad > Leaflets nation for my Swiss driving licence. This was Swiss driving licence can contact the “Political rights” sent to me via federal government’s RIPOL Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office that Direct link: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/ police search system. What does this mean? issued it so that it can be suspended. There en/home/doc/publi/ptrali/merkbl.html is generally no charge for fees or costs. Anyone who emigrates from Switzerland Addresses of the cantonal Driver and must exchange their Swiss driving licence Vehicle Licensing Offices: for one of their country of residence http://www.strassenverkehrsamt.ch/ Youth Seminar at the within a certain period of time. For exam- OSA LEGAL DEPARTMENT ple, the deadline in EU states is six months. Congress of the Swiss The competent authority in the country OSA’s Legal Department provides general legal information on Swiss law and speciﬁcally in areas Abroad of residence can provide you with binding that concern the Swiss abroad. It does not provide information on the deadlines and proce- information on foreign law and does not intervene in disputes between private parties. dure. Failure to exchange the Swiss driving licence for one of the country of resi - dence may result in fines or penalties. If you are moving abroad, you must no - Information on the tify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Of- fice in Switzerland; then, when you are right to participate in abroad, you must replace your driving li- votes and elections cence with one issued by the country of From August 15 to 17, 2014, the residence. If you subsequently move back The Swiss abroad can participate in elec- Congress of the Swiss Abroad will take to Switzerland, you may drive with your tions and referenda in Switzerland pro - place in Baden. This meeting will be foreign licence for a year during which vided they are registered on an electoral the perfect opportunity for Swiss time you must apply for this to be ex - roll in Switzerland. Swiss citizens are not Abroad to learn about modern changed for a Swiss driving licence. An eye automatically enrolled when they register information technologies and social test may be required for a Swiss driving li- with a consulate or embassy abroad. They media. At the congress, the generation cence depending on the canton. must explicitly request the right to vote. of digital natives will get its own If your move abroad is not reported to Swiss abroad are usually registered on the platform and undoubtedly bring its the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office, electoral roll at the commune where they input on this topic. a search may be initiated at the age of 70 last resided in Switzerland. This enrol- when the medical examination to assess ment must be renewed regularly - at least Two years ago, an article in the “Neue fitness to drive becomes due, for example, every four years - with the commune (not Zürcher Zeitung” read: “Since time imme- via RIPOL, federal government’s police the representation abroad). This does not morial, older generations have observed search system. This happens because the take place automatically. Some communes young people’s activities with a critical eye.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISATION OF THE SWISS ABROAD AND PARTNER INSTITUTIONS

The Organisation of the Swiss n Legal advice. Free advice on holiday camps and language educational opportunities and Abroad (OSA), a foundation emigrating abroad and return- courses, etc. for young Swiss making grant applications. governed by private law, is ing to Switzerland. abroad seeking a better www.educationsuisse.ch a centre of expertise for safe- www.aso.ch – “Consultation” understanding of their native guarding the interests of section country. Swiss citizens living abroad. n Network. The website Swiss- www.sjas.ch Besides the publication of Community.org provides the op- n Advice on education and Organisation of the “Swiss Review”, it provides portunity to network with Swiss training in Switzerland. Swiss Abroad (OSA) various services for Swiss citizens all over the world. Young Swiss abroad wishing Alpenstrasse 26, W June 2014 / No. 3 W June 2014 / No.

IE citizens abroad in collabo- www.swisscommunity.org to train or study in Switzerland 3006 Berne, SWITZERLAND

EV n R ration with its partner orga- Offers for children and receive support and guidance Tel. +41 31 356 61 00

ISS nisations. young people. Organisation of in selecting training and [email protected] SW donated Photo: 26 ORGANISATIO N O F THE SWISS ABRO AD

Generally everything was better in the past of using the modern media, exchange views – or at least different, since everything one and information, work on their own media does not know generates a considerable competence and publish reports on www. portion of scepticism. Sometimes parents swisscommunity.org. For this course, the can even feel overtaken by the rapid tech- OSA has put together an interesting panel nological development which, in recent of lecturers, speakers and workshop hosts. years, has totally changed not only the pro- The social programme will provide diver- fessional world but the consumption of the sion and entertainment. media as a whole especially by the young At the Congress of the Swiss Abroad the generation.” group will present the outcome of its work The seminar “Information Technologies while participating in the panel on “Youth and Social Media” will start on 10 August, and Online Media”. The discussion with in Baden, where the participants will meet the older generation will therefore be based their host families. From Monday to Thurs- on specific examples. day the OSA will give the young Swiss Young Swiss from all over the world are Organisation of the Swiss Abroad Abroad an introduction to the subject. The welcome to join this informative and inter- Youth Service, email: [email protected] youngsters will assess and define their way esting course. www.swisscommunity.org, www.aso.ch

92nd Congress of the Swiss Abroad in Baden – 15 to 17 August 2014 This year’s Congress of the Swiss Abroad in Baden will focus on the theme of “information technology and social media: opportunities for the Swiss abroad”. Speakers will include Federal Councillor Alain Berset and Otfried Jarren, professor of journalism at the Univer- sity of Zurich. Find out more about the theme of the congress at www.aso-kongress.ch. You can also order your congress registration pack online here. Put the congress dates in your diary today. We look forward to seeing you.

Please send me the registration documents in spring 2014 for the 92nd Congress of the Swiss Abroad in Baden. My address is:

Surname: ﬁrst name: Address: Country: postcode/city: Email:

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. Please write clearly in block capitals. The registration documents are available in two languages: q German q French (please tick the language required) Return the completed form to: Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Communications & Marketing, Alpen- REVIEW

SS strasse 26, 3006 Berne, SWITZERLAND / Fax: +41 (0)31 356 61 01 or email us at [email protected] SWI Photo: Baden; Photographer: René Rötheli / © Info Baden NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT 27

Switzerland as a with some US staff that is affiliated to the USA broke off relations with Swiss embassy has been dealing with com- Iran in April 1980. The US government Protecting Power plex consular affairs here since 1977. subsequently approached the Federal At the political level, the Protecting Council to ask whether Switzerland would At the start of 2014, Didier Burkhalter, Power mandate often involves keeping a dis- take over the representation of its interests President of the Swiss Confederation, creet and reliable channel of communication in Iran. The Swiss government accepted met US Secretary of State John Kerry in open between two States despite the break- the mandate in May 1980, in accordance Davos and Vice President Joe Biden at down of diplomatic relations. A representa- with the Vienna Convention on Diplo- the White House. On both occasions, tion of interests by a third State only comes matic Relations. Iran also confirmed its ap- the US representatives expressly into play if the governments of the Protect- proval of this assumption of the mandate thanked Switzerland for acting as a ing Power and the two States concerned by the Swiss Confederation. Protecting Power on behalf of the USA. grant their approval. This gratitude is more than a matter of A Protecting Power is entitled to receive Foreign interests in Tehran courtesy. It shows appreciation of Swit- payment for expenses from the sending A team of ten employees represents the in- zerland’s services, which demonstrate State. If the consular tasks are carried out terests of the USA at offices physically sep- our dependability, credibility and dis- by interest sections of the represented arate from the Swiss embassy in Tehran. cretion. States, the costs for the Protecting Close contact is nevertheless maintained Power are limited. Switzerland therefore with the embassy in terms of both adminis- A nation acts as a Protecting Power when it sometimes refrains from claiming trative matters and political interventions in accepts a mandate to mediate between two compensation for its mandates in the re- connection with the Protecting Power man- States which do not have any diplomatic ciprocal representation of interests be- date. and/or consular relations with one another, tween the USA and Cuba or Georgia and The consular work of the “foreign inter- in order to ensure a minimum level of recip- Russia. ests” section is comparable with the duties rocal contact. A distinction is made between There are various reasons why Switzer- performed by a chancery at a Swiss repre- two types of mandate: the “Geneva man- land represents interests between States sentation. Around 10,000 registered US and date” and the “Vienna mandate”. The less whose relations have broken down. These in- dual citizens are currently provided with common “Geneva mandate” is based on hu- clude the objectives of promoting peace, support. The section also provides consular manitarian international law and aims to en- providing a channel of dialogue between protection for various US nationals and dual sure the proper application of the Geneva hostile parties and increasing human secu- citizens in Iran. Conventions of 1949 and the appropriate rity for the citizens concerned. The SPP is in regular contact with the treatment of civilians, prisoners of war and Foreign Interests Section at the FDFA in injured persons. The ICRC usually acts as a Switzerland is currently exercising six Berne. This is the interface at the federal Protecting Power under the “Geneva man- Protecting Power mandates: administration for contact between the date”. n USA in Cuba (since 1961) parties involved. It ensures communication Protecting Power mandates today are n Iran in Egypt (1979) with the US embassy in Berne through generally the representation of interests un- n USA in Iran (1980) which most consular business with Tehran der the “Vienna mandate”. They focus on n Cuba in the USA (1991) is conducted. The Protecting Power man- the diplomatic and consular relations be- n Russia in Georgia (2008) date is based on trust in Switzerland from tween two States and are based on the Vi- n Georgia in Russia (2009) both the US and the Iranian sides. The suc- enna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Con- USA – Iran sular Relations of 1963. Special importance is The specific content of the Protecting attached to the man- Power mandate differs depending on date as a Swiss Pro- whether the emphasis is placed on techni - tecting Power (SPP) cal/humanitarian or political aspects. The on behalf of the USA first case primarily concerns the perfor- in Iran. Following the mance of traditional diplomatic and consu- Iranian revolution, lar tasks, such as conveying messages, pro- the proclamation of viding support for citizens, protecting the the Islamic Republic property of the country represented, and and the occupation of handling passport and visa matters. In the US embassy in practice, consular tasks are today also Tehran by revolution-

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. sometimes undertaken by “interest sec- ary students, followed tions” of the represented States. One exam- by the hostage-tak- The Foreign Interests team at the embassy in Tehran: Giulio Haas, ambas- DA

REVIEW sador, Reza Goorabi, Francine Zuchuat, Nasrin Tamadon, Nooshin Davami,

SS ple is Switzerland’s mandate on behalf of ing of US diplomats Mitra Nasirpoor, Mojdeh Sedighi, Safoura Joorabchi and Emil Wyss, head

SWI E Photo: the USA in Cuba. A US interest section for 444 days, the of the Foreign Interests Section (from left to right) 28 NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT

cessful work over many years of the Swiss khazia and South Ossetia by Russia, Geor- new position. I am sure that my successor departments involved in Tehran, Washing- gia broke off diplomatic relations with its will continue this dialogue and wish him ton and Berne is appreciated by both northern neighbour. Following protracted every success and much enjoyment in this States. negotiations, both countries decided to as- exciting role. sign the representation of their respective USA – Cuba interests to Switzerland. Switzerland’s role The representation-of-interests mandate is greatly appreciated by both Russia and was assigned to Switzerland in 1961 Georgia. following the Cuban revolution which led During its OSCE Chairmanship in 2014, to the breakdown in US relations with Switzerland, together with the EU and the Cuba. Switzerland accepted the Protecting UN, will mediate at the Geneva Talks on the Power mandate as part of its traditional Georgian conflict over the key issues sur- “good offices” policy. On 30 May 1977, the rounding the breakaway regions of South USA and Cuba agreed the opening of in- Ossetia and Abkhazia. terest sections in Havana and Washington FDFA, DIRECTORATE OF and the dispatch of their own staff POLITICAL AFFAIRS, AMERICAS DIVISION to conduct matters on the basis of bilateral exchange. The US interest section in Ha- vana remains nevertheless under the diplomatic protection of the Swiss Confedera- tion and is officially part of the Swiss embassy, despite being physically separate Gerhard Brügger from it. From Berne to Accra/Ghana The activities of the US interest section in Havana comprise consular services for Change at the US citizens living in Cuba and tasks concerning the representation of US interests top of the Consular in Cuba. They are carried out by Cubans Directorate and, to a lesser extent, also by members of the US diplomatic service. The Swiss Pro- From 1 May 2014, I will take up my new tecting Power mandate is therefore primar- position as Ambassador Extraordinary and ily of a formal nature. In practice, besides Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Ghana, consular business, diplomatic matters are the Republic of Benin and the Republic of also increasingly being dealt with directly Togo based, in Accra. In my long profes- between the USA and Cuba. sional career with the FDFA, I will be leav- In early April 1991, Switzerland also took ing Berne for a final time after setting up over the representation of Havana’s inter- the Consular Directorate from 2010 and ests in the USA, which had previously been leading it for four extremely exciting and undertaken by Czechoslovakia, at the re- intensive years as Director. The contact quest of the Cuban government. with the Swiss community abroad was always one of my priorities. The lively ex - Russia – Georgia change with the delegates of the Council Jürg Burri Since the turn of the year 2008/2009, of the Swiss Abroad will remain with me as From the State Secretariat for Education, Re- search and Innovation (SERI) back to the FDFA Switzerland has represented Georgian in- an enriching and stimulating experience; terests in Russia and Russian interests in it was the icing on the cake in terms of my Georgia. After the war between the two position as head of the Consular Directo- On 1 May, I took over the position of Di- countries in August 2008 and recognition rate. The insights from my many discus- rector of the Consular Directorate at the of the breakaway Georgian regions of Ab- sions with you will also serve me well in my FDFA from Ambassador Gerhard Brügger. I am highly motivated to represent the concerns of the Swiss abroad in performing my Advertisement duties. I am 49 years of age and married with four children. I previously worked at the FDFA from 1996 to 2002 and from 2006 to

June 2014 / No. 3 June 2014 / No. 2009. During my studies and professional career, I have spent short and long periods REVIEW

SS in Spain, France, the USA, Belgium and

SWI FDFA Foto: China. After holding various diplomatic po- 29

Online registration for Swiss citizens travelling abroad Travel advice

Phone from Switzerland: 0800 24-7-365 www.eda.admin.ch/reisehinweise www.fdfa.admin.ch/itineris Phone from abroad: +41 800 24-7-365 Helpline DFAE: +41 (0)800 24-7-365 E-Mail: [email protected] www.twitter.com/travel_edadfae Skype: helpline-eda

sitions, I was most recently head of the Re- as in English. The brochure can be ordered search and Innovation Directorate at SERI. free of charge from the Federal Office for Important notice With the support of my highly motivated Buildings and Logistics at www.bundespub- Consular Directorate team, I look forward likationen.admin.ch (art. no. 104.617). Notify your Swiss representation of your to continuing the work of my predecessor on email address(es) and mobile phone behalf of the Swiss abroad. number(s) and/or any changes to these and register at www.swissabroad.ch to ensure you do not miss any communications (“Swiss Review”, newsletters from your representa- Publication tion, etc.). The latest “Swiss Review” and previous The Federal Chancellery published the issues can be read and/or printed out at any brochure “The Swiss Confederation 2014 time at www.revue.ch. “Swiss Review” (and – a brief guide” in March. It provides “Gazzetta Svizzera” in Italy) is sent to all current information on Swiss politics, the Swiss households abroad registered with an administration and the judicial system. embassy or consulate general free of charge With 237,000 printed copies in five lan- as a printed version or electronically (via guages, it has one of the widest circulations email or as an iPad/Android app) . of all the federal administration’s publications. How is Parliament made up? Why can it take years for a law to enter into force? How many people are employed by the federal administration? What does the FEDERAL REFERENDA Federal Supreme Court decide upon? “The The proposals to be put to the vote on 28 September 2014 had not been announced by Swiss Confederation – a brief guide”, the time of going to press with this issue. published by the Federal Chancellery 2014 referendum dates: 28 September; 30 November. every year, answers such questions. The 80-page publication is aimed at anyone in- POPULAR INITIATIVES terested in the Swiss system of govern - The following federal popular initiative had been launched by the time of going to press ment. Many secondary schools and voca- (deadline for the collection of signatures in brackets): tional colleges use it in the teaching of political studies. n “Wiedergutmachung für Verdingkinder und Opfer fürsorgerischer Zwangsmassnahmen The Federal Chancellery works closely (Wiedergutmachungsinitiative) (Compensation for contract children and victims of com- on the text with the Parliamentary Ser- pulsory social welfare measures – compensation initiative) (01.10.2015) vices, the departments and the Federal Supreme Court. Graphical information The list of pending popular initiatives can be found at www.bk.admin.ch > Aktuell > illustrates the descriptions, and photo- Wahlen und Abstimmungen > Hängige Volksinitiativen. graphs show federal government employees in various roles. W June 2014 / No. 3 W June 2014 / No. IE

V 237,000 copies of “The Swiss Confedera- FDFA OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:

RE PETER ZIMMERLI, RELATIONS WITH THE SWISS ABROAD

SS tion 2014 – a brief guide” have been pub- BUNDESGASSE 32, 3003 BERNE, SWITZERLAND, TELEPHONE: +41 800 24 7 365 Photo: FDFA Photo: SWI lished in the four national languages as well WWW.FDFA.ADMIN.CH, EMAIL: [email protected] 30 ECHO

Little gems

An outside perspective on national history that is not just intended for academics. Thanks to Anyone interested in Swiss history has until now numerous illustrations and graphical images as well primarily been dependent upon books and articles as a detailed chronology, it also serves as a refer- written by German-speaking or French-speaking ence book – one which surpasses Wikipedia by historians. This has also resulted in Swiss history some distance and could prove a real source of increasingly being overlooked in an academic world knowledge for the Swiss dominated by the English language. That may now abroad. BE change. The prestigious UK publisher Cambridge University Press has released a volume on Switzer- land in its “A Concise History of…” series. The two Clive H. Church, Randolph C. professors Clive Church of the University of Kent Head: A Concise History of Swit- zerland; Cambridge University and Randolph Head of the University of Riverside Press 2013; 339 pages; CHF 32.90, in California have produced a highly readable book EUR 22.50.

Globi becomes an organic enjoyed little success, selected in the UN’s International Year “Globi, der schlaue Bauer”, Globi-Ver- lag, Zurich; book (also in French and farmer editions are still translated into of Family Farming, and the sto- English), CHF 21.50; audio book CD German-speaking Swiss chil- French today. English transla- ries were produced in coopera- in Swiss German, CHF 16.90 dren have enjoyed the Globi sto- tions have also been available for tion with the Swiss Biovision ries for decades. Originally de- some years now. foundation. signed as an advertising medium In the latest edition “Globi, As usual the story is told in for the Globus chain of depart- der schlaue Bauer” (Globi, the rhyme – even in French and ment stores, Globi the parrot has Smart Farmer), the protagonist English in which this illustrated since gone on many adventures modernises a family farm by book has also been published. in over 80 children’s books. Al- converting to organic standards The stories and songs on the ac- though the first translations in and mild forms of pest control. companying audio book CD are French-speaking Switzerland The book has been brought out in Swiss German. MH

Untouched nature Swiss National Park”. The 230-page publication is a lavishly filled The experiment to leave nature to its own de- treasure trove and not just of interest to map lovers and hikers. www. vices and observe its development began at the atlasnationalpark.ch BE Swiss National Park 100 years ago. It was a political decision: On 27 March 1914, the Na- tional Council adopted the federal resolution “Atlas des Schweizerischen Nationalparks – Die ersten 100 Jahre”, (in German; also “on the establishment of a Swiss National Park in the Lower Enga- available in French); dine”. The 100-year anniversary of the foundation of this unique edited by Heinrich Haller, Antonia Eisenhut outdoor laboratory in Switzerland has provided opportunity for cel- and Rudolf Haller; Verlag Haupt Bern, 2013; 247 pages, colour illustration throughout; ebration and review. What happens if human activities are com- CHF 69, EUR 59. www.haupt.ch REVIEW June 2014/No.3 pletely excluded from a landscape? These events in the 170 km2 na-

SWISS donated Photo: ture reserve are documented cartographically in the “Atlas of the 31

Bulletins Quotes

Compensation for tres and 54 million litres re- “We cannot be certain that we will not face conflict situations even in contract children spectively, is almost identical. Switzerland.” The victims of compulsory ad- Among foreign products, sig- Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer in the referendum campaign ministrative measures should nificantly more red wine – over the Gripen ﬁghter jet not just receive an apology but 183 million litres – is consumed. also compensation. A popular “Just escaping is not enough; you have to escape in the right direction.” initiative aiming to achieve this Disclosure of bank Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz (1878–1947), Swiss author objective was launched on data for US clients 31 March. It calls for a 500-mil- Swiss banks must obtain ap- “In the past we had confessional wars in Switzerland, lion-franc compensation fund proval from their US clients to today we have the jihad.” Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer again to be created. The money provide data to the US authori- should be used to help the ties under the FATCA agree- “Madness is part of man.” Blaise Cendrars (1887–1961) worst-affected victims and ment. They must also inform make amends for the injustice clients about a possible admin- “I, too, find it difficult not to see a possible demise of Switzerland as the end they suffered. Parliament istrative assistance procedure of the world. Only reason makes me appreciate that the world is bigger.” adopted a law at the beginning in accordance with this agree- Peter Bichsel, Swiss writer of March that recognises this ment. The FATCA agreement injustice. It also governs access with the USA will enter into “To be spared by fate means neither shame nor glory but it is a portent.” to records and an historical re- force before 1 July 2014, ac- Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990), Swiss author, appraisal but does not provide cording to the Swiss Federal about his homeland in a speech three weeks before his death for any financial compensation. Tax Administration. If a bank This is now to be achieved does not receive from a US cli- “Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us through a popular initiative. ent a declaration of consent to wordy evidence of the fact.” the transfer of account details George Eliot (pen name for Mary Ann Evans) (1819–1880), English writer Members of Parliament to the US Internal Revenue fond of travel Service within a stipulated pe- “William Tell is still the only Swiss person whom the Swiss Members of Parliament riod, the account will be classi- whole world knows.” Friedrich Dürrenmatt again spent more time travelling fied as a “non-consenting US abroad last year than ever be- account”. The US authority fore: 466 person travel days were may request details of the booked compared with just “non-consenting US accounts” 302 days in 2012. Out on his own from Switzerland on the basis at the top of the travel list was of this information using the Filippo Lombardi, who visited administrative assistance pro- 22 countries as the Council of cedure. States President. Travel costs for Members of Parliament Ambiguous advertisement amounted to 520,200 francs in The advertisement by 2013. They totalled 328,900 soliswiss, not clearly labelled as francs in the previous year. such, that appeared on the back page of the April 2014 issue of More Swiss wine drunk “Swiss Review” caused some The Swiss consumed just under confusion. Some readers got 107 million litres of Swiss wine the impression that the Organ- in 2013. According to details isation of the Swiss Abroad “You only die once, that’s guaranteed. Death remains the scandal of every life. Absolutely nothing is more incomprehensible than death.” Urs Widmer from the Federal Office for Ag- (OSA) was supporting the peti- wrote these words in 2002. Now the writer is dead, having passed away on riculture, that is almost 10 mil- tion launched by soliswiss for 2 April, aged 75. Urs Widmer, together with Max Frisch and Friedrich Dür- lion litres more than in the pre- the integration of soliswiss into renmatt, was one of the most famous Swiss authors in the German-speak- vious year. The market share of the new law on the Swiss ing world. With his passing, Switzerland has lost a great literary talent and a vociferous intellectual who addressed issues ranging from colonialism to Swiss wine amounts to 39% of a abroad and for a default guar- the conduct of senior executives. Widmer achieved his great public break- total of 273 million litres con- antee from federal government. through in 2000 with the novel “Der Geliebte der Mutter” (My Mother’s sumed. Among Swiss wines, However, this was simply a Lover). His autobiography, “Reise an den Rand des Universums” (Journey to the Edge of the Universe), published last year, begins with the words: consumption of white and red paid-for advertisement that “No author in their right mind writes an autobiography because your auto-

SWISS REVIEW June 2014/No. 3 Photo: Diogenes Verlag wines, standing at 53 million li- had nothing to do with OSA. biography is your last book.” Our summits are accessible to all. Thanks to 670 mountain railways. land er Ob se ne Ber , rn ho ock St

Fresh mountain air, panoramic restaurants and high trails with spectacular viewpoints: all easily reached with our cable cars, funiculars, cog railways and chairlifts. MySwitzerland.com/summer

103_13g_02_saleskit_sommer_2014_inserate_210x297_neu.indd 6 4/8/14 2:10 PM