THE MAGAZINE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD

AUGUST 2007 / NO. 4

Federal elections 2007

The voters will determine the country’s future

Why is Switzerland so politically stable?

How the Swiss abroad can take part in the elections Your direct contact to Switzerland PUBLICIS

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Wealth problems n the autumn of 1987, shortly before the Swiss elections, I met a 35-year-old Amer- Special election 2007 issue ican primary school teacher from Los Angeles in Asia. I will never forget the stimu- Ilating conversation we had. Phil – for that was his name – told me about how diffi - cult life was for American teachers, that for instance he wasn’t paid over the summer holidays and that his salary was in any case so low that he had to teach English to immi- grants three evenings a week simply to make ends meet. He said he liked travelling, and thanks to a thrifty lifestyle and his extra income he could afford to take an extended hol- iday every few years. Without complaining about his lot, he answered all my questions on life in LA, describing the crime in the sprawling conurbation, the drug problems and the appalling living conditions faced by illegal immigrants from Mexico. However, suddenly he turned the tables on me and asked, “What are the principal 5 problems in Switzerland?” I thought it over for a moment and told Phil that we were Mailbag about to go to the polls and that environmental protection was the main election issue. The American looked at me in dismay and told me he’d found Switzerland a veritable par- 5 adise when he’d travelled through it a few years earlier; clean air, healthy forests and pure Books: Urchuchi: exploring Switzerland’s rivers. What had happened, he wanted to know. I said it was simply about trying to pre- cuisine and eating habits serve the status quo. What could I tell him today if he asked me about the principal problems of Switzer- 7 land? Would I say we had a problem with dangerous dogs? Or with the assault rifl e and Images: Robert Gober’s work munitions that every soldier is required to keep at home? Or would I tell him about the problems we have with our welfare state? Would I dare say such things to an American, 8 of all people, whose workers know neither a state pension scheme, unemployment bene- 2007 elections: the highlight of political life fi t nor invalidity insurance? in Switzerland “Small west and north European states only have wealth problems,” said Berne-based political scientist Hans Hirter in an interview with Swiss Review. That puts Switzerland 9 in the same boat as countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark and The current legislative period: the left the Netherlands. braking the centre-right Our relative prosperity is probably one reason why the cam- paigning has been rather lacklustre so far. Even so, we would like 10 to encourage all Swiss citizens living abroad to take part actively in A political scientist predicts boring elections the forthcoming elections and help increase the turnout over the last elections. If you haven’t added your name to the electoral roll 13 yet, you should do so as soon as possible. It’s not too late to regis- How the Swiss abroad can vote Heinz Eckert ter for the elections on 21 October. Never before have so many of the Swiss abroad stood as candidates. Will one of them 16 manage to win a seat in the Federal Parliament in Berne? Never before have so many Swiss expatriates This issue of the “Swiss Review” is devoted entirely to the Swiss federal elections. stood for National Council seats We present the parties and their manifestos, as well as the candidates that are of partic- ular interest to the Swiss abroad. 18 If you want more in-depth information about the elections, we can recommend a Overview of the major parties and their suitable site on the Internet: swissinfo and the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad have manifestos together set up the fi rst ever online election platform providing information specially aimed at the Swiss abroad. There will also be an election blog which will give foreign-res- 20 ident Swiss citizens an opportunity to express their opinions and discuss Switzerland and Political lobbying for the Swiss abroad the elections. We hope that many of you will join in the debate, and look forward to receiving all 23 News in brief your posts. HEINZ ECKERT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Cover photo: 2007 elections: who will win a seat the Federal Assembly in Berne? Photo: Federal Chancellery

IMPRINT: “Swiss Review”, the magazine for the Swiss abroad, is in its 34rd year of publication and is published in German, French, Italian, English and Spanish in 21 regional editions. ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 It has a total circulation of over 390 000. Regional news appears four times a year. ■ EDITORS: Heinz Eckert (EC), Editor-in-Chief; Rolf Ribi (RR), René Lenzin (RL), Alain Wey (AW), Gabriela Brodbeck (BDK), responsible for DFA information pages, Service for the Swiss Abroad, DFA, CH-3003 Berne Translation: CLS Communication AG ■ POSTAL ADDRESS: Publisher, editorial offi ce, advertising: Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne, Tel.: +4131356 6110, Fax: +4131356 61 01, Postal account (Swiss National Giro): 30-6768-9. Internet: www.revue.ch ■ E-MAIL: [email protected] ■ PRINT: Zollikofer AG, CH-9001 St.Gallen. ■ ■ SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW Photo: Federal Chancellery CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please advise your local embassy or consulate. Do not write to Berne. Single copy: CHF 5 The traditional Swiss shirt www.edelweiss-shirt.com

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Swissness who have visited Where can you get the best polenta, the tenderest sauren A huge thank you Switzerland for mocken and real capuns? And who produces the fruitiest for the Swiss their opinion, they Merlot? There are countless restaurant guides, but none of- Review; our only all praise the Swiss fer as many recipes and information on all aspects of eating source of “swiss- railways, their staff, and drinking in Switzerland than the two-volume “Urchuchi” ness”. My father the friendly service by Martin Weiss, published by Rotpunktverlag. One volume emigrated to South and good advice. is dedicated to the Ticino and Misox regions and presents 45 Africa in the 1960s. I have already writ- restaurants and 30 grotti, plus 200 shopping tips and 120 Because he was ten to the head of recipes to try out yourself. The other volume of Urchuchi Swiss, I too was the SBB twice to covers 70 restaurants in German-speaking Switzerland and eligible for a Swiss praise every aspect the Grisons region and offers 300 shopping tips and 150 rec- passport, which I of the Swiss rail- ipes to choose from. have cherished ever since my ways, and have received books Urchuchi is also a voyage of discovery through Switzer- father came home with the large, and a special train tie from him land’s culinary heritage. In compiling his guide, Martin

bright-red passport bearing the in return. I already look forward delicacies Swiss Weiss not only spoke to the country’s top gourmets. He also white cross. After completing to my tenth visit to Switzerland. went in search of an “authentic feel”. The result is two beautiful my national service in South GEOFFREY MEDCALF, TUNCURRY, and accessible volumes, with a third on the culinary delights of Africa in 1990, I was fortunate AUSTRALIA western Switzerland due to appear next year, rounding off a veri- enough to be able to visit Swit- table treasure trove for everyone who loves genuine local Swiss zerland, a beautiful country that Switzerland’s armed citizens cuisine. has remained etched in my mem- I am concerned about the fact There are portraits of master chefs like mushroom specialist ory like a fairytale. Today I have that the Security Commission Thuri Maag and farmhouse cooks like 80-year-old Lorenza Cami- a 13-year-old son whom I tell the wants to stop soldiers storing nada from Vrin, the last person alive who knows how to make am- few things I know about the land ammunition for their assault plius, a Grisons dumpling. You’ll fi nd everything from Glarus “net” of his grandfather. I hope that rifl e at home. If this recommen- roast to ziger bananas, Zug röteli to freshwater crabs and delicious my fi nancial means will enable dation were implemented, it chügeli pâté, and any other traditional Swiss recipe you could pos- me to send him to Switzerland would disarm the entire Swiss sibly think of – not to mention interesting articles and extensive one day so that he can appreciate militia in one fell swoop. It would information about the various products. what all Swiss men and women also suggest that the Swiss gov- Even those well-acquainted with Ticino are bound to fi nd tasty already know: it is a wonderful ernment no longer trusts its citi- inside information on hitherto unfamiliar delights in the volume country. Until that day, I eagerly zens to carry weapons. The right covering the cuisine of Ticino and Misox. For instance zincarlin, a await every new issue of the to bear arms is the symbol of a peppered fresh milk cheese; cicitt, an apparently exquisite goat Swiss Review, thanks to which free society. By contrast, any so- sausage that can only be found in the Maggia valley; and polenta I can keep in touch with lovely ciety that restricts or denies this made from red cornmeal, which the Switzerland. After all, reading right is a slave society in the Ticinese have starting growing again. the Swiss Review is the only way mould of the former Soviet No fewer than 120 recipes have been that many of the Swiss abroad Union and Nazi Germany under gathered from Ticino’s cucina povera, can maintain their “swissness”. Hitler. I hope that the govern- capturing a chapter of the region’s JURGEN VOGT, SOUTH AFRICA ment has the good sense to reject cultural history that can easily be (BY E-MAIL) the Commission’s advice or at tested at home, including mousse least put the matter to a referen- made from goat cream cheese, chest- Swiss railways dum. nut gnocchi, coniglio al forno, Because my wife is originally ERWIN ALBER, BANGKOK busecca and Ticinese bread cake. from Switzerland and she still (BY E-MAIL) While some of the recipes are from an- has three sisters and other family cient farming families and passed members there, I am an avid Thank you down from one generation to the reader of the Swiss Review. Many thanks for the Swiss next, others have been developed re- In your April issue I saw three Review, which manages in just cently or revived by top Ticinese graphics on the perceived a few pages to keep us informed chefs. strengths and weaknesses of about the major social develop- Urchuchi is both appetising and Switzerland and what it meant ments in our beloved homeland. packed with wonderful photographs, to people. Over the years, I have I always read it with great inter- fascinating articles and interesting spent nine extended holidays in est and wish the entire Swiss information. Now we can’t wait for the

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 your country, and I believe that Review team all the best for the third volume dedicated to the cuisine your railway system is your future. of western Switzerland. EC ELISABETH DONNET-DESCARTES, greatest asset. It is the gateway to Urchuchi is published in German by Rotpunktverlag, Postfach, CH-8026 Zurich.

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW Europe. When I ask Australians FRANCE (BY E-MAIL) Price: CHF 59. www.rotpunktverlag.ch, www.urchuchi.ch. SWISS REVIEW August 2007 / No. 4 (AHV) havebeencessedfora (AHV) untary socialsecurityfund 2007, contributionstothevol- earnings. EffectiveMarch 31, pensions ofthosewithlower levels ofincomeco-fi reputation: peoplewithhigh system hasalways hadagood Switzerland’s national insurance insurance andretirement solutions. Executive Board ofSoliswissLtd.,aboutcustomized AHV. We spokewithMichaelVögele,Memberofthe are nolongerabletopaycontributionsthevoluntary most Swissexpatsresident inotherEuropean countries Soliswiss hasbecomeevenmore importantnowthat Closing insurancegapswithSoliswiss insurance brokerage department. insurance the responsibility for in 2006,with Board ofSoliswisssinceitsinception Executive He hasbeenamemberofthe bankingsales channel. the ment for andTrainingdepart- Service Customer Group’s Winterthur he managed the 2001Communication. From onwards, and Marketing asHeadofRetail pany Com- Insurance toGeneva he moved maine atCredit SuisseGroup. In1997, do- insurance life tion, hejoinedthe inBusinessAdministra- ing hisstudies complet- banking sector. In1992, after private inthe working skills inbetween hislanguage toperfect eign countries for- banking hespenttimeinvarious educationin atraditional 1963. After in inZürich born Vögele was Michael fall backonprivate solutionsto Europe. Theyare now forced to of Swiss expats however livein ropean countries. Themajority large numberofresidents inEu- Advertising feature nanced the return totheirhomecountry. Swiss abroad donot exclude a speaks forthelatter isthat many dence orinSwitzerland. What either intheircountryofresi- tions andways tosave andinvest expats lookforinsurance solu- compulsory insurance scheme. of theirderegistration from the surance schemewithin365days register withthevoluntary in- only requirement isthat they from thevoluntary AHV. The get age, disability andlifecover fore leavingSwitzerland canstill least fi compulsory contributionsforat outside theEUandhavemade take upresidence inacountry the voluntaryAHV? the reduced paymentsfrom countries toadequatelytopup who reside inotherEuropean are available forSwiss expats Mr. Vögele, whichalternatives bility ordeath. tirement orintheeventofdisa- that provide benefi fi based onananalysis oftheirper- suggest oneormore solutions members andcustomers, and customers? How doesSoliswissadviseits ally worth itsweight ingold. tions. Goodadvicecanbeliter- variety ofproducts andsolu- It isnoteasytochoosefrom a gives themafeelingofsecurity. Investing moneyinSwitzerland nance anadditionalpension We proactively approach our Back toyour question:Swiss First ofall:Swiss expats who ve consecutiveyears be- tsafterre- ment planning products leave customers? Which productsdoyouofferyour fourth group: pensioners. ment. Andthenthere’s the ically aboutplanningforretire- are starting tothinkmore specif- pleting theireducation andthey well-off, theirchildren are com- years ofage:theyare usually people. Third, peoplearound 50 breadwinner earningforseveral abroad there isusuallyone families andmarriedcouples or withoutchildren, becausein Second, marriedcouples, with fi ular onriskandfi ferent groups, focusinginpartic- for eachperson? to determinethebestsolution Which criteriadoyouuse tailored totheirneeds. cial circumstances. Ouradviceis sonal situation andtheirfi of Soliswiss? What isthegreatest strength lost noneoftheirattraction. retirement, so annuitieshave in guaranteed performanceafter The fourthgroup isinterested tunities foradditionalsavings. to long-terminvestmentoppor- looking forprofi ready fi nancially secure and these customersare usuallyal- four are investmentfunds, as products forgroups three and should passaway. The ideal event that theprimaryearner to safeguard closerelatives inthe ity ofcasesthemainpurposeis insurance, becauseinthemajor- bine savings foroldagewithlife vestment products. Thesecom- ance aswell assavingsandin- and three are traditional insur- recommendation forgroups two on retirement planning. Our cially forunmarriedcustomers, on incomeprotection and,espe- rst, young orsinglepeople. We distinguishbetween dif- Our adviceandourretire- For thefi rst group, we focus table medium- nancial status: nan- portfolio already includesthe his compatriot inFrance. Our efi expat inItaly willbeabletoben- for eachcountry. Soon,aSwiss developing customizedsolutions are puttingalotofenergyinto generates another benefi countries. But thisimmediately fer are not available forsale inall the cooperation withSoliswiss? What disadvantages result from itable kindofadvice. source –asustainable andprof- ceives everythingfrom one tomer candiversifyandstillre- a variety ofproducts. Thecus- ance, ahighlevelofsecurityand commodates therequirements. vidual needs. Ourapproach ac- sponds tothecustomer’s indi- combination ofproducts corre- room forhybridsolutions. The rate. company ifconditionsdeterio- deed revoked bytheinsurance which cannot becurtailed orin- the entire termofthepolicy, guaranteed protection during means that ourcustomersenjoy can cancelthemovernight.This term bynature, neitherparty Life insurance policiesare long- – whichisanotheradvantage. depending ontheindividualcase this pricepressure uptoapoint, surance cancounteract policy surplus we broker witheachin- fect oninsurance profi sessment ishavinganegative ef- duration ofthesespolicies. Tell meaboutprofi first offeringsofthiskind. t from different products than We guarantee goodperform- Some oftheproducts we of- The current conservative as- tability and ts. The ts. t: we t: IMAGES 7

Robert Gober at the Schaulager. From now until 14 October, the Schaulager in München- stein just outside Basel will be hosting the most extensive exhibition to date of the works of American artist Robert Gober. The exhibition consists of 40 sculptures, fi ve large- scale installations and several groups of sketches which have been produced by the artist over the last three decades and have aroused great interest. www.schaulager.org

Robert Gober, untitled, 2005–2006. Stoneware, beeswax, Robert Gober, untitled, 1999–2000. Robert Gober, Melted Rifl e, 2006. cotton, leather, aluminium straps, human hair, cast lead Plaster, beeswax, human hair, cotton, Plaster, paint, cast plastic, beeswax, crystal, aluminium foil, oil-based and acrylic paint leather, aluminium straps, enamel paint walnut wood, lead

Robert Gober, untitled, 1990. Robert Gober, untitled, 2005–2006. Robert Gober, untitled, 1991. Beeswax, cotton, wood, leather, human Stoneware, beeswax, cotton, leather, Wood, beeswax, leather, fabric and human hair aluminium straps, human hair hair ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW Photos: Schaulager Robert Gober, untitled installation, 1989 Rober Gober, X Playpen, 1987. Wood and enamel paint 8 FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007

Suppose they gave an election and someone went!

We are the people. Federal elections, which take place every four years, are the highlight of the Swiss political calendar. And yet turnout remains modest compared to other countries. By Rolf Ribi

Article 148 of the Swiss Federal Constitution introduction of proportional representation balanced, more socially-minded, more envi- reads, “Subject to the rights of the People in 1919. ronmentally conscious and more cosmopol- and the Cantons, the Federal Parliament is There are several reasons for this poor itan than the present one. the highest authority of the Confederation.” turnout in comparison with other countries. Four years ago, the Federal Offi ce of Sta- The Federal Parliament consists of the 200 If you are regularly involved in the decision- tistics looked into which socioeconomic members of the National Council and the 46 making process through referenda, elections groups were more or less likely to vote. Its cantonal representatives on the Council of are not of central importance. By contrast, fi ndings were clear: “Men, older people and States. On 21 October, the Swiss people at in countries like France the ballot box is vir- those with a higher level of education and home and abroad will elect the members of tually the only place where people can ex- greater incomes vote more often than women, the National Council, in other words, the press their political sentiments. In addition, young people, the less well-educated and lower house. This election, the highlight of the elections within the Swiss consociation- those with low incomes.” This imbalance in Swiss political life, takes place every four alist system do not lead to a complete change participation by the various groups led to a years. of government. Instead, the balance of power “systematic distortion” of the will of the peo- However, there are few signs that this sum- between left and right and between individ- ple that was undesirable from a national po- mer’s campaigning will be emotionally ual parties usually shifts only marginally. litical point of view, it said. charged. Even so, the political parties are After the federal elections of 2003, voters ready to tour the country rallying voters, and Co-determination through voting were asked why they had cast their vote. have already earmarked CHF 1.5-2 million And yet there are good reasons to become Thirty-nine percent gave “political co-deter- each for this purpose. Remarkably, their cam- actively involved in elections – indeed very mination” as the most important reason. paigns all use images and slogans that evoke good reasons. Next up, at 18 percent, was “tradition, habit patriotic sentiments. The Social Democrats’ Firstly, if you don’t bother voting, you leave and civic duty”, although this argument in logo features the Matterhorn, the Swiss Peo- the task of shaping the future to others (in- particular is losing ground. “To support a ple’s Party (SVP) is campaigning under the cluding your political opponents). Secondly, particular party or candidate” (13%) was seen slogan “My home, our Switzerland”, the Free nearly all parliamentary decisions are taken as less important, though slightly more so Democrats have a three-dimensional Swiss within the confi nes of the Federal Parliament than “political interest” (11%). Interestingly cross on their Web site, while a new white building and are not put to the people. It is enough, the motivation differed between the cross on the Christian Democrats’ party logo the elected MPs who make most of the deci- various language groups. Whereas a clear ma- is designed to attest to their “Swiss” creden- sions and determine how bills are to be pre- jority of voters in German-speaking Switzer- tials. The SVP has gone to the greatest sented to the electorate – and often enough land stated “political co-determination” as lengths to appear patriotic, with a billy goat whether they should be put to a public vote. their main reason for voting, voters in the called Zottel who is to make an appearance The third point is that it is the men and “Latin” regions had a very different priority. at all its election rallies. women elected to the Federal Parliament In French-speaking and Italian-speaking ar- Even if the campaigning does liven up in who choose the Federal Council every four eas, “awareness of traditions and civic duty” the autumn, one thing is certain: elections years. So it is the parliament elected by the was the most important motive. arouse less interest in direct democracies like Swiss people themselves that determines “State authority rests with the people”, the

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 Switzerland than in representative (parlia- whether we have a national government with constitution of Zurich canton asserts con- mentary) democracies like France, for exam- a conservative or centre-right majority, as is cisely. And so it does. We are the people, and ple. Turnout at the 2003 elections was just currently the case, or whether the Federal our electoral behaviour plays a decisive role

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW Cartoon: Copyright Tagesanzeiger 45.2 percent, the third-lowest fi gure since the Council of the next legislative period is more in shaping our country’s future. FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007 9

A centre-right legislative period with left-wing blocking. ical left on Europe and maternity leave, and Following Christoph Blocher’s election to the Federal Council, with the right on fi nancial adjustment and pol- icies on asylum and foreigners. What’s more, politicians on the left issued dire warnings about right-wing the CVP and FDP found themselves on op- domination. Indeed, the centre-right parties clearly stamped posing sides on only two of the 26 votes in this their authority on this legislative period. Even so, the Social legislative period (uniform child benefi t, and increasing VAT for the AHV/IV). Democrats and Greens were able to block some centre-right However, their record was blemished some- projects through referenda. By René Lenzin what by a few painful defeats near the start of the legislative period. Probably the most spec- Two topics formed a kind of central thread to the new EU Member States, and plans to do- tacular of these came on 16 May 2004, when the current four-year legislative period, which nate CHF 1 billion in development aid to these the electorate overwhelmingly threw out both will draw to a close after this year’s autumn ses- countries. However, these proposals were a tax-reduction package and the eleventh sion of the federal councils: relations with the borne less out of a conviction about the bene- amendment of the AHV. Three months ear- European Union and the reform of federal fi ts of bilateralism than to prevent derailing lier, the CVP and FDP had already been de- budgets. Although each issue created differ- Switzerland’s gradual alignment with the EU. feated over amendments to tenancy legislation ent coalitions, the centre-right line eventually Even so, left-wing politicians have been forced and a road-building programme that included prevailed on both. to accept that their long-term objective – a second tunnel through the Gotthard. In each Two austerity packages have helped the Fed- Swiss membership of the EU – is further away case, the two parties had abandoned their eral Council and Parliament to pare back the than ever. It is probably thanks to the SVP and moderate centre-right values and made a pact original spending plans by a total of CHF 5 bil- their new federal councillor, Christoph Blo- with the SVP that proved not to have major- lion. These measures and favourable economic cher, that the country is now heading fi rmly ity backing. conditions have enabled Switzerland to remain down the bilateral path. And yet the SVP is in the black so far this year and even helped among the losers in terms of European policy Left tastes early success reduce its national debt of CHF 130 billion last this legislative period, having failed to con- These poll victories gave the parties of the left year. These savings programmes were passed vince the electorate to halt the signing of ever a boost. They had set themselves the goal of by the centre-right parties on the Federal more treaties with the EU. preventing centre-right domination of Swiss Council – the Christian Democrats (CVP), All in all, the CVP and FDP have been the politics, as had been feared following the elec- Free Democrats (FDP) and Swiss People’s most successful parties. Not only have they tion of Blocher and Hans-Rudolf Merz to the Party (SVP) – despite opposition from the So- managed to win popular backing for the two Federal Council. However, they were dealt cial Democrats (SP) and Greens. aforementioned key dossiers, they also won several bitter defeats after their initial suc- By contrast, the “red-green” camp won out the most votes in absolute terms. Both parties cesses. In particular, they seemed incapable of over Europe, at least superfi cially, gaining sup- may be getting a smaller and smaller share of pushing through projects without backing port for the second package of bilateral agree- the popular vote, but there’s no getting round from the centre-right. Their plans for a uni- ments between Berne and Brussels, the expan- them at present in political terms: they have form health insurance fund and a proposal to sion of the free movement of people to include got their way through alliances with the polit- divert Swiss National Bank profi ts to the AHV were both rejected categorically. The second The invalidity insurance scheme can be reformed. half of the legislative period also proved disap- pointing for the “red-green” camp. In spite of Sixty percent of voters and 22 cantons approved the fi fth negative campaigning by the SP and Greens, amendment of the IV system. Turnout was 35.8 percent. the Swiss approved Sunday opening of shops at major train stations as well as a new asylum 55.8 % 50.7 % and foreigners’ acts. Most recently, the Swiss 66.0 % 68.5 % also gave the go-ahead to the fi fth amendment 56.7 % 63.0 % Proportion of yes votes 45.4 % 64.3 % 66.7 % of the IV invalidity insurance scheme. by canton. 60.7 % 79.6 % 70.3 % This legislative period could therefore be Proportion of yes votes 68.5 % by the Swiss abroad. 64.2 % summed up as centre-right in essence, with 63.5 % 49.1 % 73.7 % 72.4 % 68.0 % left-wing blocking. Rhetorically speaking at 58.9 % 66.5 % least, the SP and Greens on the one hand and 64.6 % 63.5 % the SVP on the other dominated various votes. 49.9 % 61.8 % 52.5 % Nevertheless, these groupings couldn’t win 67.5 % popular approval for any projects on their own, and were limited to blocking reforms through 53.4 % ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 referenda. Over the last four years too, the 55.7 % proposals that received majority backing were 49.1 % 52.2 % largely centre-right in nature – i.e. predomi-

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW nated by the CVP and FDP. 10 FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007

“We can look forward to a boring election.” that espoused environmental protection. This October’s federal elections will not bring about any major Today they all do, so there is no longer any reason to vote for the Greens. changes in parliament, merely minor shifts within the left- and right-wing camps. Political scientist Hans Hirter, a professor Isn’t it also the case that the Greens are seen as at Berne University, explains why the situation is so stable less of a classic left-wing party than they were? Doesn’t the party have a broader base in Switzerland. Interview by Heinz Eckert now? No. I think the Greens have a more clearly left-wing position than they had in the past. Back then the party was still a motley group “Swiss Review:” The elections of of defectors from a variety of parties, 20 years ago were dubbed the “elections even centre-right ones. You can see of hope”, the environment was the main from their activity in the National campaign issue and the Greens were Council that they are no less left-wing expected to win. Do you see any paral- now than when they were founded. lels between then and now? But it’s true that many voters consider Hans Hirter: I certainly don’t see the Green Party less left-wing than any parallels in terms of the slogan. the SP. Perhaps that’s partly because Even back then, hopes of a Green Fed- it isn’t saddled with the “burden” of eral Council were illusionary. Nobody the trade unions. expects anything of the sort nowadays. Even the environment is just one of Environmental issues are also less ideo- many election issues this year. The logical and more acceptable nowadays. Greens are expected to perhaps gain Even centre-right parties and compa- a few seats, but not to have the kind nies are addressing the issue. Does that of resounding success that the SVP help the Greens? had. In fact, I don’t see any parallels It’s true that no-one can afford not with 20 years ago. to take the environment seriously any- more. But that has also earned the Haven’t the Greens got even better Prof. Hans Hirter Greens competition from other par- chances of success than they had 20 ties. The Green Party no longer has a years ago? Twenty years ago, people still doubted monopoly on the environment. The majo- You could say that the Greens are now an whether they could make a breakthrough. rity of voters don’t like ascetic purity in en- established party and still have potential. On the other hand, they were the only party vironmental policies anyway and prefer the

SWISSINFO LAUNCHES ELECTION PLATFORM

Swissinfo’s new content for election exchange. Although the der to get the ball rolling, the ed- and-answer sessions will also be the 2007 election year is multi- election is also being reported in itorial team has posted a series part of the 2007 election blog. medial, independent and – most all the other Swiss media, swis- of hypotheses on a variety of Finally in late August or early importantly – targeted specifi - sinfo’s content differs in one key issues (integration, crime and September, swissinfo will organ- cally at the Swiss abroad. respect: swissinfo has a remit to e-voting). Readers can respond to ise live chat sessions with se- In addition to an election supply specifi cally the Swiss these articles either in their own lected candidates at different special and an election blog, the abroad with information. In addi- name or using a pseudonym. The times of the day. At this stage, previously separate swisspolitics tion to providing information on only conditions are that the com- the would-be national councillors Web site will be integrated into the 2007 federal elections, swis- ments are respectable and factual will be able to answer questions swissinfo and its content ex- sinfo encourages the Swiss and in no way slanderous. In the immediately rather than some panded. abroad to discuss their concerns, second stage, a feature for posing time after they are posted. The federal elections are the the election issues and the candi- questions to politicians will be central domestic political topic of dates on the World Wide Web. To- added to the communication 2007. Swissinfo has therefore put gether with the Organisation of platform. Candidates for seats in LINKS•swissinfo: election special (www. swissinfo.org/eng/elections/index.html? ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 together a major election special the Swiss Abroad, it has set up an the Federal Assembly will then be siteSect=1530)•Election blog (http:// which will be further enhanced in election blog in German, French able to present themselves briefl y wahlen.swissinfo.org/)•swissinfo: July by the addition of the online and Italian to serve as an interna- and reply to questions from the Politics (www.swissinfo.org/eng/politics/ index.html.html?siteSect=1500)•Organi-

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW Photo: unibern “Smartvote” tool and the SRG tional discussion platform. In or- Swiss abroad. These question- sation of the Swiss Abroad (www.aso.ch/) 11

approach the CVP or the FDP takes to the That’s what I assume. There will be minor our political system. We don’t need the kind matter. shifts within the left-wing and Green camp. of electioneering banter that you get in other countries. What effect will the SP’s defeat in Zurich How do you explain this incredible stability in have on the National Council elections? Switzerland? What would you say to a foreigner who asked It is signifi cant inasmuch as the existing The stability is primarily due to the fact you to name the greatest political problems in trend was simply more pronounced in Zu- that the Swiss people can also vote on spe- Switzerland? The minaret ban and dangerous rich. The SP is having diffi culty holding cifi c issues through referenda and therefore dogs and the removal of assault weapons from onto its supporters everywhere, and has correct parliamentary decisions. That’s why private households? been losing votes to the Greens throughout there’s no need to change allegiances at every Just like every other small western and the country. That may also be the case in the election. Even when there is relatively high northern European state, Switzerland really forthcoming National Council elections. unemployment and economic problems, the doesn’t have any major problems to solve in majority of Swiss people see no reason for comparison to other countries. That’s why What other campaign issues apart from the en- seeking protection from left-wing parties. we can spend lots of time arguing about dan- vironment will the electioneering focus on? They are aware that political life is not de- gerous dogs, minarets and service weapons. There will be a wide range of issues. The termined exclusively in Berne. That’s how These are “wealth problems”. However, SVP will probably focus on foreigners and we differ from other countries. prosperity also creates new social problems. the minaret ban, maybe also relations with For example, young people have to learn that the EU, depending on how the so-called Do the federal councillors have more infl uence not everything is free. The willingness and “tax row” plays out. The CVP will try to win on the elections than they did in the past? will to work must be promoted once again votes with family-friendly policies. The left- That’s diffi cult to say. Sure, Federal Coun- in all areas as a matter of urgency. At present wingers will undoubtedly enter the fray cillor Blocher campaigns, but I don’t think we have a kind of “wealth-related decline” in with phrases like “fat-cat salaries” and “low that the federal councillors have a great in- this respect. This is something that we have taxes for the rich”. The FDP will have dif- fl uence. to combat. fi culty positioning itself and has an uphill struggle ahead. The Liberals will probably What do you think continue to lose votes, whereas the CVP about popular elec- Advertisement seems to have recovered and will hold on tion of the Federal to its share of the vote. The FDP is well on Council? the way to becoming a “10-percent party”, I’m against it. as is the case in other European countries, Federal councillors and is gradually changing from an establish- should govern and ment and people’s party into an economics lead their ministry party for higher earners. well during their four-year mandate, Can’t liberal ideas be conveyed attractively not campaign in or- anymore? der to secure their When liberal ideas are put into political personal re-elec- and economic practice, the results are often tion. In any case, diffi cult for many to accept. Take for exam- there’s no country ple the globalisation of the economy, job anywhere in the cuts, the slimming down of the state and the world where the increase in the pension age. people elect their ministers. Do you then think that the SVP will achieve its objective of winning an extra 100,000 So we can expect the votes? federal elections to That would indeed be a major coup for the pass without inci- SVP, especially since the turnout won’t be dent? any larger than four years ago. The shifts in Yes, I believe so. the centre-right camp are likely to be by Everyone has staked about a half to one percent, which the FDP out their territory will probably lose to the Greens or the and there will be no

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 EVP. surprises. The elec- tions will be boring, In other words, nothing will change after these which in turn re-

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How Swiss citizens ceive. This enables abroad can vote even minorities to ob- tain seats, in contrast On 21 October 2007, all Swiss to majority or “fi rst- citizens of voting age who are past-the-post” sys- resident abroad can join their tems, in which minor- domestic compatriots in deter- ities have no chance of mining the composition of winning a seat in par- the National Council and the liament. Majority Council of States for the next elections are held in four years. What is the proce- the cantons which dure for voting? We explain have only one seat on how it works. the National Council. Here the relative The National Council, or large number of votes is de- chamber of the Swiss parlia- cisive, in other words, ment, has 200 seats and repre- the seat goes to the The entrance to the National Council chamber. sents the Swiss resident popu- candidate who re- lation. The 200 seats are ceives the most votes. Grisons are elected earlier. elected (passive voting rights) divided between the cantons The Council of States, or With the exception of Jura, all if they have Swiss nationality, according to their respective small chamber, represents the cantons elect their councillors have reached the age of 18 and populations. There is one seat political voice of the cantons. of state on the basis of a major- have not been declared men- for about every 36,000 inhabi- Most cantons send two repre- ity of votes. In most cases, an tally ill or incapacitated. People tants. sentatives to the Council of absolute majority (i.e. candi- resident outside Switzerland Each canton forms a consti tu- States. Because of historical dates need to receive more may also stand for election. ency, so there are 26 consti tu- cantonal divisions, however, than 50% of the votes cast) and The Swiss abroad may vote encies across Switzerland. Each Appenzell Innerrhoden, Ap- a second round of voting are actively in elections in the can- constituency has the right to penzell Ausserrhoden, Basel required. ton and constituency where at least one seat in parliament. Land, Basel City, Nidwalden Because small-chamber elec- their electoral community is As the canton with the highest and Obwalden each send just tions are subject to cantonal leg- located. However, they may population, Zurich sends 34 one (bringing the total to 46). islation, foreign-resident Swiss stand for election in any can- national councillors to Berne, The councillors decide inde- citizens may take part in the ton, provided they have been while the cantons of Uri, Gla- pendently, not as instructed by elections in those cantons which put forward. Even so, each can- rus, Obwalden and Nidwalden their cantons. grant them the right to vote at didate can only stand for elec- as well as the two Appenzells Elections to seats in the the cantonal level. At present, tion in one canton. each have just one representa- Council of States are subject to these are the cantons of Berne, tive in the large chamber. cantonal regulations. For this Basel Land, Fribourg, Geneva, The run-up to the election Since 1919, national councils reason, Swiss small-chamber Jura, Neuchâtel, Solothurn, The individual parties submit have been elected for four-year elections are not held every- Schwyz, Ticino and Zurich. their proposed candidates to terms using a electoral system where on the same weekend as the relevant cantonal authority, known as proportional repre- National Council elections. Active and passive voting which checks the proposals and sentation, in which seats are al- The small-chamber represen- rights gives the representative of the located to parties according to tatives for the cantons of Zug, Citizens have the right to vote signatories a deadline by which the number of votes they re- Appenzell Innerrhoden and (active voting rights) and be any defects in the submission must be remedied. The FOPH PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS RECOMMENDATIONS amended proposals are called The Federal Offi ce of Public Health in Berne has ■ Use paper handkerchiefs when coughing lists. The number of candidates published a series of personal hygiene recommen- or sneezing, dispose of them afterwards ; on each list is limited to the dations for use in the event of a pandemic. These ■ Avoid shaking hands; number of National Council hygiene measures could reduce the risk of infection ■ Wear protective masks if recommended to do so seats available for the constitu- and even slow the spread of a fl u pandemic. by the authorities. ency in question. No name may The FOPH also recommends you purchase a store Details of the recommendations can be consulted appear more than twice. of fi fty protective masks (surgical masks) per person at www.bag.admin.ch Nobody may be a candidate in

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 right away. Further information on pandemic preparedness more than one constituency In summary, the FOPH recommends taking the can be found at www.eda.admin.ch, “Services”, anywhere in Switzerland. If following hygiene measures if a pandemic occurs: “Living abroad”. not, the system of proportional ■ SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW German/Photos:Translated from Stahl Photographie/Parliamentary Services Wash your hands regularly with soap; DFA, POLITICAL AFFAIRS DIVISION VI representation – in which 14 FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007 NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT

candidates from different lists divided between the parties List 1: Party A times. Inverted commas, or the same list may appear forming the combined list ac- 01.01 Anne Prima “ditto”, “idem” or other similar twice – would not function. cording to the rules of propor- 01.02 Jacques Secundus expressions are not permitted. This so-called prohibition of tional representation. This If this party list is placed in List 4: Party D multiple candidacy is designed gives smaller parties better the ballot box as is, each of the 04.01 Jules Septimus to prevent the proposed candi- prospects of obtaining a seat. candidates receives one vote. 04.02 Sophie Octava dates from standing for elec- Within a combined list, only The party receives as many 03.01 Pierre Quintus tion on several lists in the same combinations of sublists are votes as the number of availa- You may also add names constituency or in more than permitted. Such sublists have ble seats in the constituency. from another list (in this case one constituency. Each pro- the same main designation, the Party votes are made up of list 3) to a printed list (here list posal must be signed in person only differences being an addi- votes for candidates and addi- 4). This is known as split vot- by a minimum number of eligi- tional note to identify the sex tional votes. ing. However, you may only ble voters resident in the or age of the candidates, the List 2: Party B add names of candidates that relevant constituency and bear wing or grouping of the party, 02.01 Séraphine Tertius appear on one of the lists you a designation at the top of or the region. 02.02. Charles Quartus are sent. In this example, party the document for ease of iden- Here, one name on the D loses a vote and the deleted tifi cation. No eligible voter Election materials printed list has been deleted. In candidate also loses out. By may sign more than one pro- The voting documents consist general, cast ballot papers must contrast, the candidate added posal. of the printed party lists and contain at least one eligible from another list benefi ts, as blank ballot papers. Eligible candidate. A candidate whose does his party (both of whom Additional votes voters in cantons in which only name has been deleted receives get a vote). Split lists may not If a party list contains fewer one national councillor is no votes. However, even contain more candidates than valid names of candidates than elected (Uri, Obwalden, Nid- though one of the names has may be elected in the consti- the number of seats available in walden, Glarus, Appenzell In- been deleted (blank line), party tuency. the constituency, the blank nerrhoden and Appenzell B still receives a second vote in Free or blank lists lines are assigned to the party Ausserrhoden) do not receive the form of an additional List no.… Party… in whose name the list was sub- printed ballot papers, only (party) vote. 04.01 Jules Septimus mitted as additional votes. blank ones. List 3: Party C 01.01 Anne Prima Party votes can therefore be 03.01 Pierre Quintus If you do not wish to vote for votes for candidates or addi- A brief guide to voting 03.02 Jean Sextus a party list, you may write the tional votes. The Swiss abroad may cast 03.01 Pierre Quintus names of candidates yourself their vote for a list containing You may also delete a name on a blank list. These candi- Combined lists the names of candidates from a on a list and enter the name of dates must appear somewhere Different parties can combine particular party. This list may another candidate already on the party lists, although their lists within a constituency not contain more names than listed. This is known as accu- they need not belong to the in order to benefi t from their available lines. No name may mulating. This candidate then same party. joint voting power. Whenever appear more than twice on the receives two votes. Your list If you put a party name at two or more lists are combined, list. may not contain more names the top of a ballot paper, the they are initially treated as a than available lines. By listing a list becomes a party list. Blank single list when seats are allo- The following are examples candidate twice, you give him lines are then assigned to this cated. Thereafter, the seats are of possible cast party lists: an advantage over candidates party (as additional votes). you have deleted or who are Lists without a party name listed only once. However, this are known as free lists. The has no effect on the number votes go to the parties of the of votes cast for the relevant candidates whom you wish to party, which is decisive when elect and who appear on the allocating seats. No candidate ballot paper. By contrast, the may be named three or more blank lines on this list are not

Advertisement ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW Translated from German/Photos:Translated from Stahl Photographie/Parliamentary Services In the chamber of the Council of States. 15

assigned to any party, and are collected from lost. Here too votes may be ac- the voter regis- cumulated or split. Please note tration bureau that you may only write down of the electoral as many names as the number community of National Council seats avail- during opening able to your canton. hours. 9. Do not cast Important more than one 1. Only offi cial ballot papers National Council are valid. ballot paper. 2. Ballot papers must be completed or altered by hand. Voting Changes must be clear and un- Your electoral ambiguous. Names must be community sends written out in full. Designate you the voting the candidates in such a way documents in the that there is no doubt as to offi cial language In the National Council chamber. their identity (ideally by stating of your choice be- their party). Please also add fore the date of the election. No construction complexes, airports, shopping their candidate number. These comprise: centres, sports stadiums, amuse- 3. Ballot papers may be ■ The ballot papers; that damages the ment parks, multi-storey car neither signed nor attributable ■ The Federal Chancellery’s Swiss environment parks, etc., may only be erected in any other manner. voting instructions; or landscape if they are of overriding impor- 4. Ballot papers containing ■ One or two envelopes ad- tance and permit adherence to slanderous remarks will be de- dressed to your electoral com- In June 2006, the initiative the principles of sustainability. clared invalid. munity, depending on your can- committee “Helvetia Nostra” Generally binding guidelines are 5. Ballot papers may not con- ton, so that you can cast your launched the popular initia- to defi ne the potential locations tain more names than the ballot in secret; tive “Against the unbridled and dimensions of such con- number of National Council ■ A separate voting card, if the building of constructions that structions. seats available to the canton. voting documents envelope does damage the environment and This constitutional amend- 6. Cast ballot papers must not suffi ce to identify you. the landscape” (see Swiss ment would also require changes contain at least one valid candi- The election and voting pro- Review 5/06). The aim of the to the Constitution’s transi- date name. Only the names cedures are laid down by can- initiative is to give the Swiss tional provisions. A new clause 8 that appear on the printed bal- tonal legislation. There are 26 Federation greater powers in Article 197 of the Transitional lot papers are valid. different regulations! We in key urban and regional Provisions of the Federal Con- 7. The procedure for postal therefore recommend that you planning issues. stitution would require the Fed- voting differs from one canton read your electoral communi- eral Council to issue a decree to another. Eligible foreign-res- ty’s instructions carefully. This The initiative aims at adding a defi ning the necessary imple- ident voters are therefore rec- ensures that your vote will fourth paragraph to Article 75 menting provisions and plans if ommended to carefully read count in full. If you have any of the Swiss Federal Constitu- the relevant law does not come through the instructions con- questions about voting, please tion, stating that constructions into force within two years tained in the envelope sent to contact your political commu- which damage the environment of the approval of the amended them by their constituency. nity directly. or landscape, such as industrial Article 75, paragraph 4. 8. Any foreign-resident vot- Changes of address should ers who wish to cast their vote be sent to the Swiss embassy or POPULAR INITIATIVES in person at the polling station consulate at which you are reg- The following initiatives have been launched since the last issue: in their community should no- istered. ■ “For a healthy climate” (until 29 November 2008) tify their electoral community ■ “Against the construction of minarets” (until 1 November 2008) of this in writing or by personal Related election links Signature forms for current initiatives can be downloaded appointment. If the electoral www.parlament.ch/e/home from the Federal Chancellery site: www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/vi/ community receives notifi ca- page/wahlen-2007.htm vis_1_3_1_1.html tion at least six weeks before www.ch.ch, “Authorities” ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 the election, it sets aside voting www.bk.admin.ch/aktuell/ RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFICIAL DFA INFORMATION PAGES: materials for the non-resident abstimmung/nrw/index.html? GABRIELA BRODBECK, SERVICE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD/DFA, BUNDES- voter concerned. In this case, lang=de GASSE 32, CH-3003 BERNE, TEL. +41 31 324 23 98, FAX: +41 31 324 23 60

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW German/Photos:Translated from Stahl Photographie/Parliamentary Services these voting materials must be www.tellvetia.ch WWW.EDA.ADMIN.CH/ASD, [email protected] 16 FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007

Expatriate candidates Mario Valli (61), general manager, Edenvale, Never before have so many foreign-resident Swiss voters South Africa. / Hans Peter Bieri (42), head of the visa service of the Swiss embassy in stood as candidates for seats on the National Council. Cairo, Downtown Cairo, Egypt. / Walter They also include four high-profi le members of the Council Müller (62), businessman, Greenpoint, Cape for the Swiss Abroad. Town, South Africa. / Ueli Maurer jr. (29), business manager, Borgen, Norway. / Karl Bachmann (54), paramedic, Tranva, Croatia. Peter Simon Kaul, born have been and are still being closed without / Yvonne Ochsner (44), restaurant owner, 1956, is an self-employed replacement, and Switzerland’s foreign Whitehorse Y.T., Canada. / Hubert Bru- businessman living near presence has been restricted and weakened. mann (55), IT entrepreneur, East London, Dresden. He is standing for Such action hurts Swiss companies wher- South Africa. / Markus Stöckli (38), sales the SVP in Zurich canton. ever they may operate around the globe. At agent for Bolivia, Chile and Peru; Quito, Ec- Kaul is married and has four the same time, the expatriate Swiss commu- uador. / Dr. Nicolas Szita (37), university lec- children. Why is he standing for election? nity cannot afford to just sit back and ob- turer, London, Great Britain. / Heinz Moll “My candidature will help to raise awareness serve the political goings-on back at home. (56), journalist, Prague, Czech Republic. / of the needs of the Swiss abroad among the Surely the Swiss abroad are better placed Norbert Ehrbar (47), gastronomy expert, political parties and the general public, and to recognise and understand developments Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. to promote and strengthen mutual under- and connections from afar. We, the Swiss Schaffhausen: Rolf B. Schudel (63 ), busi- standing. We need to build bridges and come abroad, want to help uphold freedom and nessman, President, SVP International, Vico closer, exchange experiences and work out democracy in Switzerland. And that is what Morcote, Switzerland (otherwise based in how best to use the skills we have acquired I stand for.” South Africa) / Edgar Studer (67), former abroad for the benefi t of our common home- welfare secretary, Berkshire, Great Britain. land. As an independent, self-suffi cient and Rolf Schudel, born 1943, is Geneva: Ron Favarger (71), businessman, sovereign state in an increasingly global world, divorced and has a daughter. Toronto, Canada. / Dominique Miglio (41), Switzerland faces great challenges. We could He lives and works in South hotel owner, Bangkok, Thailand. / Pierre do even more to put the experience and skills Africa, where he is a self- Goldschmid (74), retired businessman, Bru- we have gained abroad at Switzerland’s dis- employed businessman and noy, France. posal. A Swiss expatriate seat on the National the president of SVP International. One of FDP International will also be putting up Council would greatly help in this respect. It his main concerns is for Switzerland’s image a list in Zurich. would give us a hotline to Switzerland’s deci- abroad. As a national councillor, Basel-born The following FDP International candidates sion-making bodies as well as an opportunity Schudel would promote self-assured foreign will be standing: Helen Freiermuth (49), to talk to members of parliament directly. It policies and the maintenance of banking se- instructor, Gainesville, USA (in Canada is this belief that has prompted me to stand crecy. He is well aware that the present sys- from the summer). / Gil Schneider (49), for election to the National Council in my tem makes it very diffi cult for Swiss expatri- businessman, Singapore. / Hansueli Meili home canton of Zurich.” ates to be elected as national councillors. He (45), business consultant, Yoyakarta, Indo- therefore wants to reform the electoral sys- nesia. / Urs Wäfl er (28), software engineer, Edgar Studer, born 1940, is tem to, amongst other things, give the Fifth India (in Switzerland from married and a father of Switzerland its own constituencies as a way the summer). three. He has lived in Fin- of overcoming the current discrimination The following CVP candi- champstead in England against the Swiss abroad. date will be standing since 1997. Amongst other Shortly before our copy deadline, it came in Berne: Felix W. Nie- positions he has held in the past, he led a so- to our attention that another member of the derhauser (57), export cial security offi ce in Schaffhausen. Studer Council for the Swiss Abroad, Ron Favarger manager, Rotterdam, Hol- is standing as an SVP candidate in Schaff- from Geneva, would be standing. Favarger, a land. hausen. The former member of the resi- self-employed businessman living in Canada, The following candidate dents’ council in Neuhausen am Rheinfall will be standing as a SVP candidate in Ge- will be standing for the Green justifi es his candidacy thus: “In my work on neva canton. Party in Fribourg: Raphaël the Council for the Swiss Abroad, I hear As this issue of the Swiss Review went to Thiémard (38), responsible politicians time and again use well-chosen press, the SVP had announced that it would for communication at words to stress how important we are for be putting forward a Swiss abroad list in ECOLO, instructor ETO- Switzerland’s image abroad. Unfortunately, Schaffhausen, Geneva and Zurich cantons. PIA, Neufchâteau, Bel- day-to-day political life is very different. The following SVP candidates will be stand- gium. ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 For example, voluntary AHV contributions ing: Zurich: Peter Simon Kaul (51), business- The up-to-date list of for Swiss expatriates living within the EU man, Radebeul,Germany. / Inge Schütz (57), Swiss abroad candidates

have been scrapped on dubious grounds the head of the commercial section of the for the federal Election can When will the fi rst expatria te

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW and not replaced. In addition, consulates Swiss embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. / be found at www.aso.ch be elected? FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007 17

Parliamentary elections are also Federal Council elections. cated fi rst. This system of uninominal voting A bicameral system based on the American model and a govern- is often criticised because it enables individ- ual parliamentary groups to do deals with or ment in which the most important parties are represented pro- conversely exact revenge on each other. Party portionally. These are the main characteristics of the Swiss lists are suggested as an alternative, which political system. Although the Swiss people do not elect the would enable the Federal Assembly to choose all seven Federal Councillors at the same time. members of the government directly, they determine the party- However, such a change to the voting system political breakdown of the Federal Council. By René Lenzin has not been approved by a majority of MPs. Another regular feature is the call for pop- The political system in Switzerland is one maintain a disproportionate weighting in Par- ular election of the Federal Council. The SVP that guarantees stability. Ever since the intro- liament despite steadily losing ground. in particular considered calling a referendum duction of proportional representation in on the issue after it failed to get a second seat 1919, the four political parties that make up Few electoral rules despite increasing its share of the vote. Since the current government – the Christian Dem- In contrast to the cantons, the members of Christoph Blocher’s election, the SVP has ocrats (CVP), Free Democrats (FDP), Social the national government are chosen not by dropped the issue again. The greatest prob- Democrats (SP) and the Swiss People’s Party the people, but by Parliament. Because the lem with a popular vote would be to ensure (SVP) – have almost always accounted for at elections for the Federal Council take place the balanced representation of the various re- least 80 percent of the votes cast. Neverthe- in the fi rst session after the National Coun- gions and language groups. less, there have been signifi cant shifts among cil elections, the latter are also an indirect the parties in the Federal Council over the straw poll for the composition of the govern- Council of States: counterbalance past 16 years. Between 1991 and 2003, the ment. Indeed, the growing polarisation and or privilege? SVP more than doubled its share of the votes, personalisation of politics has increased this National Council elections take place on the advancing from a junior partner to the strong- role of the legislative elections. You could same day throughout Switzerland, with the est party overall. During the same period, the therefore argue that parliamentary elections 26 cantons acting as the constituencies. Seats CVP and FDP consistently lost ground, while are also Federal Council elections. are allocated according to the number of in- the SP made small gains and recovered the The formula for the composition of gov- habitants in each canton. Zurich gets the position it had held in the 1970s. ernment is not set out in any decree. In the- most seats (34), followed by Berne (26) and The electoral successes of the Swiss Peo- ory, the MPs are free to choose members of the Vaud (18), while at the other end of the ple’s Party eventually lead to the “magic for- other parties or even independents, although scale, Appenzell, Glarus, Nidwalden, Obwal- mula” that had applied since the 1950s, even there are a few hard-and-fast rules. For in- den and Uri each get only one. By contrast, though the SVP subsequently “pinched” a stance, the Constitution states that care must elections for the Council of States are organ- seat from the CVP on the Federal Council. be taken to ensure that all regions and linguis- ised by canton, and take place on the same Instead of two CVP seats, two FDP seats, two tic groups are represented appropriately. At day as the National Council elections in most SP seats and one for the SVP, since 2003 the present, there are fi ve German-speaking and cantons. Exceptions include Zug and Appen- CVP has had one, the FDP two, the SP two two French-speaking members of govern- zell-Innerrhoden, whose regional represent- and the SVP the remaining two. According ment, but not a single Italian Swiss. Follow- atives are selected not at the ballot box but to the thinking be- ing the lifting of the relevant ban and the in- by their regional authority. The two cham- hind the magic for- troduction of a constitutional amendment, bers of the Federal Assembly have equal mula, the Federal there are now for the very fi rst time two fed- power. This means that legislation can only Council is to refl ect eral councillors from the same canton (Zu- come into force if approved by both.

the relative strength rich): Christoph Blo- Advertisement of the different par- cher and Moritz ties taking into ac- Leuenberger. count not only their The procedure for share of the vote but Federal Council elec- also the number of tions is laid down in seats each holds in law: seats are allo- the Federal Assem- cated individually and bly. Because the in succession accord- CVP and FDP tradi- ing to the length of tionally have more time the previous in- seats on the Council cumbent has spent in of States than their office. Seats con- share of votes in Na- tested by existing ia te Swiss national councillor tional Council elec- members of the Fed- tions suggest, they eral Council are allo- 18 FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007

What are your party’s main In 2007, the SVP’s election slogan The SP Switzerland campaigns for The FDP wants to give Switzerland issues? will be “My home, our Switzer- a social, open and environmen- a boost. It has therefore drawn land”. The SVP wants a booming tally friendly Switzerland. Our up four projects that are of central economy that creates secure jobs, central concerns are for social jus- importance for the future of Swit- lower taxes and less bureaucracy tice and equal opportunities for zerland: as well as a democratic, independ- all. To achieve this we need better ent and cosmopolitan Switzerland conditions for working parents. An intelligent Switzerland: invest- that looks not only to the EU. The SP supports active and con- ing in talent, curiosity and ideas Crime must be tackled consist- certed foreign policies and fa- ently, and the population vours rapid negotiation for entry A growing Switzerland: profi table, throughout the country must be to the European Union. With re- tolerant and creative given adequate protection. The gard to climate change, renewable SVP is also in the front line in the energy sources and greater energy A just Switzerland: more opportu- battle against asylum fraud and effi ciency need to be promoted. nities for all the abuse of the welfare state. We have already successfully in- troduced the incentive tax on An open Switzerland: integration heating fuel, and are now seeking and networking a similar one on petrol. What does your party want The SVP wants to lead Switzerland A socially just Switzerland: Knowledge shapes our future to achieve in Parliament over back onto the road to success. expanding day-care for children, and creates wealth (for instance the next four years? This will be centred on lower taxes increasing the number of appren- by promoting research) and less state expenditure, a re- ticeships, securing the welfare form of the welfare state, the pre- state, a fl exible pension age that Fiscal competitiveness: low taxes vention of abuses of the asylum everyone can accept, and affor- and a simple taxation system and welfare systems as well as the dable health insurance. creation of ideal conditions for An open Switzerland: active in- Lower consumer prices thanks conducting business in Switzer- volvement in the United Nations, to competition land. Switzerland must not forget increasing public expenditure on its libertarian principles: hard development work, and the start Environmentally and climate- work and responsible behaviour of membership negotiations with friendly policies rather than dependence on the the EU. state. The SVP is dedicated to pro- An environmentally friendly Swit- Enabling mothers to work: more tecting the people’s democratic zerland: Buyback prices for re- childcare right of co-determination. newable energy, measures for im-

proving energy effi ciency, a CO2 Capitalising on the benefi ts of incentive tax, no new nuclear experience: creating incentives power stations. for working longer Why should the Swiss abroad The SVP defends the interests of The SP is the party that represents The FDP is actively involved in vote for your party over any the Swiss abroad, who should also active, concerted foreign policies. promoting the interests of the other? be represented on the National This is why the SP played a key Swiss abroad. For example, Council. SVP International will be role in parliamentary votes on thanks to the FDP, the Swiss campaigning with several party opening Switzerland up to the abroad now benefi t from freedom lists to provide the Fifth Switzer- outside world (Schengen/Dublin, of movement throughout the land with a platform and all the freedom of movement, coopera- European Union. We are also cam- necessary support. Upholding tion with the East). Our foreign paigning for the rapid introduc- Swiss values and a commitment to minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, tion of e-voting. Every year, FDP a free and independent Switzer- tackles these issues in a consist- Switzerland International, the land are at the heart of our en- ent manner within the Federal international section of the FDP, deavours. Open-mindedness, re- Council. Through its parliamen- presents its Swiss Abroad Award sponsibility and competitiveness: tary efforts, the SP is working for to an individual who has made an that’s what the SVP stands for. If better representation of the Swiss outstanding contribution to the you care about Switzerland and abroad, for example in the form of wellbeing of the Swiss abroad. The want to help your country ad- a guaranteed representative in aim of the award is to raise aware-

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 vance, you only have one choice the federal parliament. ness among the Swiss population on 21 October: the SVP! about the signifi cance of the Fifth Switzerland. SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW 19

We are working for a family- 1. Climate: We want to move away The EVP wants to secure the qual- The Liberals promote intelligence, friendly Switzerland from oil, scrap nuclear power and ity of life in Switzerland through: innovativeness and creativity. switch completely to renewable Stronger families. The EVP wants We therefore focus especially on We are working for full employ- energy sources by 2050. to reduce the fi nancial burden on the quality of vocational training ment in Switzerland 2. Economics: We want the econ- families and support them where and excellence in research. We omy to become more ecological necessary. We therefore want a support a fi scal competitiveness We are working for a socially se- and invest more in environmen- new form of child benefi t to re- which ensures a good manage- cure Switzerland tally friendly technologies. place all other payments and de- ment of public funds and guards 3. Equality: We want men and ductions and which is funded against punitive taxation. The We are working for an ecologically women to have the same rights from tax revenues. At the same Liberals also want to see the even- sustainable Switzerland and opportunities, and we want time, we want to scrap the dis- tual abolition of federal direct equal opportunities for all in crimination against couples taxation. education and training. caused by separate taxation and 4. Peace: We want a halt to mili- individual AHV pensions. tary exports and greater coope- A just economy. We want Switzer- ration on development. land to have a just attitude to- wards money; less debt, fairer wages both at the top and the Tax cuts for families, better condi- The most important measures are bottom of the scale, a simple tax The Liberals believe that the Swiss tions for working parents: all-day those that combat global warm- system without loopholes, and healthcare system is and remains schools and childcare. Companies ing: effective tools for promoting fair trade. Those are our key is- one of the best in the world. In should be required to provide energy effi ciency and the use of sues. order to rein in spiralling expend- more home-based jobs, part-time renewable energy sources as well A healthy environment. The EVP iture, the Liberals want to reintro- work for managers, maternity and as the introduction of an all-in- wants prompt action to reduce duce competition and thus offer paternity leave. clusive incentive tax. In terms of Switzerland‘s dependence on non- the insured and patients alike a Switzerland needs open export social policy, we want measures to renewable energy sources. To this choice in terms of hospitals, med- markets, fl exible employment leg- overcome (youth) unemployment end, it wants to introduce ecolog- icines, health insurers, etc. With

islation, innovativeness, an inter- and create a stronger AHV with ical tax reforms and a CO2 tax on regard to asylum and foreign nationally attractive tax climate, a fl exible retirement age from petrol. An intact environment is policy, the Liberal Party believes fi rst-class infrastructures and 62 onwards. And we want Parlia- our legacy for future generations. that our asylum practices should excellent levels of education. Our ment to defi ne foreign policies That is why we need measures to be coordinated with those of our welfare state must be adapted to that promote human rights as well prevent land overuse and urban partners in the European Union. take account of recent social as social and ecological rules for sprawl. At the same time, Switzerland changes. We want to invest in en- globalisation. has to prevent abuses of its hospi- ergy effi ciency and new technolo- tality. gies to tackle global warming.

Our party leader, Christoph Dar- Green is the colour of the 21st The EVP sees itself as a party of The Swiss abroad constitute an bellay, and Federal Councillor Century. The Greens work to pro- values. It wants to pursue practi- important electoral force for our Doris Leuthard embody the CVP tect both our planet and human cal, people-oriented policies party because we sense that many and Switzerland‘s centre-left re- rights. If you want to maintain based on the Gospel. The EVP is of them share the liberal values of surgence. Anyone who wants a Switzerland‘s glaciers and its neither a member of a block nor liberty and responsibility. We also family-friendly Switzerland, a wonderful landscapes, you should tied to any special-interest group. want to ensure that the Swiss Switzerland with full employment, vote green. If you want Switzer- This enables us to always act in abroad are given the best oppor- a socially secure Switzerland and land to continue to have good the interests of all – including tunity to exercise their civic du- an ecologically sustainable Swit- public transport and a good edu- those without a voice and the oft- ties. It is therefore up to our MPs zerland should vote for the CVP. cation and healthcare system, you forgotten Swiss men and women to take the interests of the Swiss The CVP takes the concerns of the should vote for the Greens. In living abroad. As such, the EVP abroad into account. The Liberals Fifth Switzerland seriously, but other words, if you want to help consistently opposes poverty and are also in favour of introducing also expects the Swiss abroad to Switzerland become more ecolo- the persecution of Christians online voting for Swiss citizens become actively involved. We gical, social and cosmopolitan, around the globe and fi ghts to en- living abroad. therefore welcome members of vote for the Greens. sure that the fundamental Chris- the Fifth Switzerland who would tian values of the Swiss Constitu-

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 like to become candidates for the tion will remain the guiding National Council elections. Con- principles of politics in Switzer- tact us at www.cvp.ch. land. SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW 20 FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007 OSA NEWS

The election manifesto for the Swiss abroad

The Organisation for the Swiss Abroad represents the inter- ests of fellow Swiss citizens living outside Switzerland. In view of the general elec- tions taking place this autumn, the OSA is present- ing the political parties and the relevant politicians with a list of concerns and wishes for the new legislative period. This election manifesto was agreed by the Council of the Swiss Abroad at its April 2006 session.

Politics On the roof of the Federal Parliament building ■ Greater involvement of the Swiss abroad in political de- Mobility (e.g. the problems associated land abroad, amongst other bates, especially during the ■ Upholding, developing and with unemployment insurance things by developing the net- opinion-forming phase, prima- implementing the Agreement in Italy). work of diplomatic and consu- rily within the framework of on the Free Movement of lar missions. the international sections of People with European Union Education & training ■ Cooperating systemati- the political parties as well as Member States and extending ■ Maintaining and expanding cally with the Swiss abroad over the Internet. this free movement to coun- the existing network of Swiss and their institutions, which ■ Promoting candidates from tries that subsequently join the schools abroad in order to of- given Switzerland’s interna- the Swiss abroad community EU. fer young foreign-resident tional presence increases for elections to Federal Coun- ■ Ensuring that the Swiss Swiss citizens an opportunity the antenna and multiplier cil seats. abroad are adequately repre- to be educated to Swiss stand- effect. ■ Greater involvement of the sented by Swiss foreign mis- ards so that they can easily ■ Greater cooperation be- Fifth Switzerland in the legis- sions by maintaining and where continue their education in tween and coordination of the lative procedure. necessary expanding the net- Switzerland. various parties marketing the ■ The earliest possible intro- work of consulates and secur- ■ Promoting collaboration be- country abroad. duction of electronic voting; ing the provision of high-qual- tween institutions other than ■ Systematic consideration of including the Swiss abroad in ity services. the Swiss schools abroad which the international consequences future pilot testing. ■ Promoting and upgrading are nonetheless involved in ed- of national decisions and the ■ Simplifying the ability to professional mobility, for ucating young Swiss citizens, as effects statements have on per- exercise ones political rights instance within the framework well as supporting such institu- ceptions and the image of from abroad, especially by cen- of exchange programmes; re- tions. Switzerland. tralising the electoral register cognizing the economic, politi- ■ Securing grants for young ■ Raising awareness among for the Swiss abroad at can- cal, cultural and social benefi ts Swiss abroad to come to Swit- the Swiss people to global tonal level and scrapping the of mobility for Switzerland. zerland to pursue their educa- competition and promoting obligatory four-yearly ■ Facilitating mobility through tion/training. competitiveness within Swit- renewal of voter registration. the conclusion of international ■ Extending the recognition of zerland. ■ Ensuring that the Swiss agreements, especially with re- foreign diplomas in Switzer- ■ Using the infrastructures abroad are kept adequately gard to social security (e.g. land and of Swiss diplomas and network of Swiss informed, especially through with Australia and New Zea- abroad. schools abroad as platforms the further development land), double taxation and the for Switzerland’s interna-

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 of swissinfo/SRI and the recognition of diplomas. Switzerland’s international tional presence; founding expansion of the Swiss Review ■ Implementing the agree- presence new Swiss schools in count- (increasing its size and ments that clear up the status ■ Expanding the international ries like China, India and

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW Photo: Stahl Photographie frequency). of cross-border commuters presence and image of Switzer- Russia. 21

Maintaining contact with THE OSA’S POSITION their political rights in Switzer- the motherland Compared with the foreign-resident citizens of other countries, the land just a year ago, the fi gure ■ Promoting and supporting Swiss abroad have a high degree of political codetermination rights. now stands at 111,000. When programmes that encourage However, the importance of the Swiss Diaspora for Switzerland as a the Swiss abroad were granted dialogue between the Swiss whole continues to be underestimated at home. There is therefore a the right to vote and take part abroad and both their home need to strengthen the means whereby the specifi c needs of the Fifth in referenda 15 years ago, no country and Swiss citizens Switzerland are met and their presence is taken into account. more than 20-25,000 potential living in Switzerland (e.g. The OSA has always striven to give the Swiss abroad the same status votes were expected to come through holiday camps for for- as their domestic compatriots wherever possible. It has consistently from abroad. eign-resident Swiss children). campaigned for equality and against the discrimination, exclusion Switzerland’s politicians are ■ Improving the legal status of and marginalisation of expatriates in all the relevant areas. For this increasingly taking note of this, state-recognised institutions reason, it supports all suggestions that qualify individual political co- and taking an ever-greater in- for the Swiss abroad in accord- determination in favour of institutionalising a collective special posi- terest in the situation and ance with Art. 40 of the Fed- tion. Furthermore, suffi cient attention must be paid to achieving sys- needs of their internationally eral Constitution, in particular temic conformity within the constitutional framework of Switzerland. mobile compatriots. This replacing the decree on fi nan- Finally, it would be politically wise to carefully gauge what Swiss-resi- “prise de conscience” with re- cial support for Swiss abroad dent citizens think of the idea of granting expatriates decision-ma- spect to the signifi cance of for- institutions (which expires king and codetermination rights. eign-resident Swiss citizens led on 31 December 2007) with a to the creation of the Swiss federal law. abroad parliamentary group 12 of those in the House of Outgoing National Council- two years ago. This brings to- Political lobbying Representatives. Mario Fehr lor Remo Gysin, who is also the gether more than 80 members believes that the opinions and chairman of the Organisation of the National Council and for the Swiss abroad interests of the Swiss abroad of the Swiss Abroad, would like the Council of States – fully a The SP parliamentary group could be better represented the Federal Council to conduct third of the National Assembly has put forward no fewer than and more directly tied into the and publish the fi ndings of a – all of whom have indicated a three political initiatives for political process by giving for- statistical analysis of the voting specifi c interest in the needs of the benefi t of the Swiss eign-resident Swiss citizens patterns of the Swiss abroad the Fifth Switzerland by join- abroad. These will soon be two seats on the Council of during referenda and elections. ing the group. considered in Parliament. States and as many as six extra Foreign-resident Swiss citizens Since then, this interest in representatives on the National can currently participate in ref- the Swiss abroad has expressed SP National Councillor Mario Council. erenda and elections in only itself in a number of parliamen- Fehr wants the Federal Council Councillor Fehr also wants fi ve cantons: Appenzell Inner- tary initiatives: to create the necesssary consti- all cantons to allow the Swiss rhoden, Basel City, Geneva, tutional and legislative condi- abroad to vote in small-cham- Lucerne and Vaud. Swiss schools abroad: To - tions to allow direct represen- ber elections. At present, the gether with no fewer than 45 tation of the Swiss abroad in Swiss abroad are excluded The Swiss abroad co-signatories, Genevan SNP the Federal Assembly. There from choosing councillors of National Councillor André are good grounds for his pro- state in most cantons because parliamentary group Reymond, a member of the posal. By the end of 2006, small-chamber elections are Council for the Swiss Abroad, a total of 111,249 foreign-resi- cantonal. The Swiss abroad community tabled a parliamentary ques- dent Swiss citizens had regis- Carlo Sommaruga from is constantly growing. If they tion asking the Federal Council tered to exercise their political Geneva proposes amending the were a canton, the 645,000 to explain the importance of rights in Switzerland. This Constitution and all the other foreign-resident Swiss men Swiss schools abroad in en- makes them a very powerful relevant legislation so that the and women scattered around hancing the perception of force that should be given Swiss abroad can be repre- the globe would be Switzer- Switzerland and outline the a stronger voice in political sented fi rst on the Council of land’s third-largest; less pop- support that the state would be debate in Switzerland. Several States and later on the Federal ulated than Zurich and Berne, willing to give to set up new countries give their foreign- Council in the manner that but with more inhabitants schools in up-and-coming resident citizens separate rep- best suits our institutions. than Vaud canton. countries like China, India and resentation in parliament. There are several ways in which Russia. In its answer, the Fed- For example, Portuguese citi- this could be made possible: ei- Encouragingly, the rise in the eral Council stated that Swiss zens temporarily or perma- ther through regional elections number of Swiss abroad is ex- schools abroad enjoyed an ex-

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 nently living abroad can elect (as the 27th canton) or by ceeded by the rate of growth in cellent reputation, were ex- four deputies by postal voting. choosing Swiss abroad repre- the number of registered vot- tremely well known and pro- Italy’s expatriates choose six sentatives through an electoral ers. Whereas only 105,000 peo- vided Switzerland with a

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW of the seats in the Senate and college. ple had registered to exercise lasting and wide-ranging net- 22 FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007 OSA NEWS

work of contacts around the citizens living within the EU testing. In parallel to this, the Foundation for world. The government would are calculated, and the right OSA approached the cantons Young Swiss Abroad be pleased if new schools were to choose where to seek treat- to encourage them to intro- established, and would gladly ment. duce e-voting as quickly as Winter 2007/2008 provide advice. However, the possible. Whether your children are ski- initiative should be taken by Cross-border commuters and In its reply, the Federal ers or snowboarders, beginners the Swiss abroad themselves. unemployment insurance: Council pointed out that the or experts, our winter camps Councillor of State Filippo nationwide introduction of e- offer a great opportunity for Dual German-Swiss national- Lombardi, another member of voting in all 2700 communities 8- to 14-year-olds to have a ity agreement: Following dis- the CSA, tabled a question on was very complex and time- super holiday! cussions within the board of the problem of discrimination consuming and that it would the OSA during last year’s against Swiss cross-border require changing cantonal leg- Winter camp in Lantsch (GR) Congress of the Swiss Abroad commuters by Italian unem- islation through referenda in Date: Thursday 27 December in Basel, National Councillor ployment insurance regula- most instances. The introduc- 2007 to Saturday 5 January Remo Gysin (SP/BS) tabled a tions. In this he urged the Fed- tion of e-voting had to be dealt 2008. Number of places: 48 parliamentary question asking eral Council to apply to the with carefully, it added, and it Cost: CHF 900 (excl. when the national government Italian government or the rele- could not give any defi nite in- ski and snowboard hire) planned to ratify the agreement vant bodies at the European troduction date. For this rea- Registration deadline: that it had signed with Ger- Union to ensure that Swiss son, the Federal Council asked 15 October 2007 many several years ago on na- cross-border commuters who for Ms Leutenegger Ober- tional service for dual citizens. lose their jobs are treated the holzer’s motion to be rejected. Winter camp in Flumserberg This clearly prompted the Fed- same as their Italian counter- The issue had already been (SG) eral Council into action, and it parts, as required by the Agree- raised during parliamentary Date: Saturday 2 February said the agreement would soon ment on the Free Movement of question time, when National to Saturday 9 February 2008 be put to Parliament for ap- People signed by Switzerland Councillors Markus Hutter Number of places: 24. proval. The assembly would and the EU. (FDP/ZH) and Yves Guisan Cost: CHF 700 (excl. ski and discuss the bill at its autumn or (FDP/VD), referred to a news- snowboard hire). Registration winter session. E-voting: In the wake of a paper interview in which the deadline: 15 December 2007 meeting of the parliamentary head of the political rights sec- Health insurance for the Swiss group, SP National Councillor tion of the Federal Chancellery Twenty places for the youth abroad: CSA member and Susanne Leutenegger Ober- had espoused the view that e- ski camp in Lenk on 2–9 Janu- Vaud FDP National Councillor holzer (Basel Land) tabled voting would not be introduced ary 2008 will be given away. Yves Guisan and 47 co-signato- a motion demanding the rapid for another 30 years. In reply, Application forms for participa- ries proposed a motion to introduction of e-voting Federal Chancellor Annemarie tion in the draw will be available assess the way health insurance and the involvement of the Huber-Hotz said that the can- at www.aso.ch in September. contributions paid by Swiss Swiss abroad in future pilot tonal and national parliaments would need to make time-con- Registration ORGANISATION OF THE SWISS ABROAD suming legislative and probably Discounts are available in justi- Our services: also constitutional changes fi able cases. Precise details on ■ Legal Department before e-voting could be intro- the winter camps and ■ Youth Service duced for referenda, elections, application forms will be avail- ■ Association for the Promotion of Education for Young Swiss the signing of initiatives and able at www.aso.ch (under Abroad (AJAS) other votes. However, she said “Youth”, “Discover Switzer- ■ Committee for Swiss Schools Abroad (CSSA) that the introduction of e-voting land”, “Holiday camps”) from ■ Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad (FYSA) for referenda was the top prior- September 2007 onwards. ity. The ball was now in the can- On request, we can also send OSA, Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, CH–3006 Berne, tons’ court, with the National you our information brochure Phone +41 31 356 6100, Fax +41 31 356 6101, www.aso.ch Council supporting the issue. by post.

Advertisement ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW NEWS IN BRIEF 23

Two female presidents and women of Switzerland are Stubbing out smoking changes between Spain and Swit- on Lake Geneva hotel owners’ third-favourite According to the Federal Offi ce zerland. Armin Ritz, the Swiss Swiss President Micheline guests. The most popular guests of Health, the number of smok- ambassador to Spain, said he was Calmy-Rey has had ample oppor- were those from Japan, while ers in Switzerland has fallen by a pleased to announce that Swiss tunity to practice her Spanish. American tourists were ranked quarter of a million in the last school-leaving certifi cates (mat- She welcomed Chilean President second. fi ve years. Whereas fully 33% of ura) were now offi cially recog- Michelle Bachelet during the the Swiss smoked in 2001, the nised in Spain thanks to Council- latter’s two-day offi cial visit to Voting at 16 fi gure had fallen to 29% by 2006. lor Couchepin’s negotiations with Switzerland. The two women vis- Glarus canton has taken a pio- the authorities in Madrid. Repre- ited the Ecole Polytechnique de neering step in lowering the vot- Swiss school in Barcelona cele- senting the school’s patron can- Lausanne (EPFL), the offi ces of ing age to 16 for elections at can- brates opening of new building ton, Municipal Councillor Bern- the International Committee of tonal level. This Swiss premiere On 15 June, the new building of hard Pulver from Berne delivered the Red Cross and the UN Hu- has reopened the debate on the the Swiss school in Barcelona was his message not only in Castilian man Rights Council. And Ms. voting age in the other cantons offi cially opened in festive style Spanish, but also in perfect Cata- Calmy-Rey also spent a few days as well as at federal level. Young under the motto “Another step – lan, the language spoken in Bar- in Spain, where she met her Socialists in Fribourg have also Un paso más” in the presence of celona, which he learnt in part at Spanish counterpart as well as the launched a popular motion on Federal Councillor Pascal Swiss schools abroad. Headmas- country’s monarch, Juan Carlos. this issue. Couchepin and Catalan Educa- ter Toni Wunderlin, who has tion Minister Ernest Maragall. headed the Barcelona school for Deadly fl ooding in Switzerland Victory for the wealthy The various speeches given at the the past seven years and who Switzerland was battered by vio- The trial centring on the Swis- opening attested to the impor- played a decisive role in the new lent storms on the night of 8 sair debacle ended with the tance and wide-ranging infl uence construction and all the associ- June. In the Huttwil (BE) re- acquittal of all 19 defendants. of Swiss schools abroad. Coun- ated organisation, proudly pre- gion, many streams and rivers The district court in Bülach cillor Couchepin particularly sented a review of the 88-year broke their banks, damaging (ZH) deemed none of the pointed to multilingualism as well history of the school, which cur- some 500 houses. Three people charges to be justifi ed, and as the economic and cultural ex- rently has 660 pupils. ALAIN WEY lost their lives, including a awarded damages worth a total Advertisement woman who drowned in her own of around CHF 3 million. house. The damage is estimated Swissair’s last CEO alone re- at CHF 40 million. The storms ceived CHF 488,000 in com- hit the cantons of Lucerne, Ba- pensation. The outcome was sel, Thurgau, Schaffhausen and greeted with dismay, and many Zurich. wonder if the verdict was just. Former Swissair employees have Lötschberg opened their doubts. They are now pin- Ten years after the project was ning their hopes on a series of started, the Lötschberg base civil suits. tunnel was offi cially opened by Transport Minister Moritz Unconstitutional The Federal Court has ruled that degressive taxes in Obwal- den are unconstitutional. The taxation system, which was adopted by referendum in De- cember 2005 despite the fact that it favours the rich, has been rigorously opposed by National Councillor Josef Zisyadis from Leuenberger on 15 June. The Vaud. He even took up residence train took just 17 minutes to in the half-canton to pursue his drive through what is now the campaign. Incidentally, in the world’s third-longest tunnel year following the introduction (34.6km). of the new taxation system, the

ugust 2007 / No. 4 / No. ugust 2007 number of companies settling in Swiss guests welcome Obwalden increased fi vefold A survey of 15,000 European year-on-year and the population

SWISS REVIEW A SWISS REVIEW French/Photo: from Translated Keystone hotels has found that the men increased by 1.5 percent.