THE MAGAZINE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD

DECEMBER 2007 / NO. 6

Einsiedeln : A World of its Own

2007 Elections: Truly Historic

Micheline Calmy-Rey: The Highlights of her Year All-round insurance cover for Swiss citizens living abroad.

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Insurance EDITORIAL CONTENTS 3

A weatherproof system wiss politics are rarely mentioned in the foreign media. The goings-on in the Federal Parliament are usually far too mundane to raise any interest abroad. SThis isn’t helped by the fact that the mechanism of our system of direct demo- cracy is diffi cult for outsiders to grasp. Indeed many foreign journalists fail to compre- hend how our seven-member government can consist of representatives from four dif- ferent political parties, that we hold referenda and that true power lies with the Swiss people themselves. As a result, is generally only written about on the business and culture pages or, ever since Roger Federer started making waves, under sport. Even our federal elections have largely been ignored abroad up to now. After all, we neither elect a char- “XENOPHOBIA: Switzerland Criticised Abroad. Everyone’s plotting against us!” ismatic president nor bring left- or right-wing parliamentary majorities to power. Polit- The cartoonist Chappatte in “NZZ” ical life in Switzerland is simply so stable that it’s boring for outsiders. This time round things were rather different for once. Never before have the media 5 in Frankfurt, London, New York and elsewhere reported so extensively about Swiss Mailbag politics. And what would a review of the world’s press have us believe? The international media described a racist, egotistical and divided country. For instance, the Washington 5 Books: Music from French-speaking Post ran a piece under the headline “Swiss Fury at Foreigners Boiling Over”. Spiegel Switzerland Online in Germany knew we were a “Democracy on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown”. 6 And the Independent newspaper in England fretted on its front page that Switzerland A Christmas journey on the tram had become “Europe’s Heart of Darkness”. 7 It is traditional in the run-up to an election for current or former members of the Images: Eduard Spelterini: Photographer Federal Council who have studied the international press to publicly voice concerns about and pioneering balloonist Switzerland’s image abroad and even worry that negative reporting could turn investors 8 away from Switzerland. Abbey: A glance inside But this will not be the case. Even after the most expensive, emptiest, and bitterest the monastery election campaign of all times, Switzerland is neither racist nor xenophobic, and it still 12 isn’t run by the SVP and Christoph Blocher alone, no matter what Notes from Parliament the foreign media try to sell their readers. “Our system is weather- 14 proof,” said legendary former SP leader Helmut Hubacher. For- Federal elections 2007 eign reporting of Switzerland this election year was extremely one- 15 sided, subjective and far from the truth. That’s rather a shame. The Election summary: Truly historic Swiss political system deserves to be treated in a more differenti- 16 ated and thorough way, even in the foreign media. OSA news Heinz Eckert As we went to press, the new Parliament hadn’t yet decided whether or not to confi rm the present seat allocation in the Federal Council. The Fed- 18 Interview: Federal President eral Council election won’t take place until 12 December. Both www.aso.ch and www.swis- Micheline Calmy-Rey sinfo.org will provide regular updates on the eagerly-awaited outcome. 19 The editorial team of the Swiss Review would like to thank you for the interest you News in brief have taken in our work, and wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

HEINZ ECKERT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cover: Angel fi gure in front of Einsiedeln Monastery church Photo: Keystone

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.

December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 It has a total circulation of 400 000. 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 CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please advise your local embassy or consulate. Do not write to Berne. Single copy: CHF 5 SWISS MOVING SERVICE Leave a lasting legacy behind TO AND FROM ANYWHERE IN U.S. Do something for our compatriots SWITZERLAND OR WORLDWIDE abroad • Personal service and individual advice • Door to door service for household goods and motor cars, by ocean or by air A legacy or bequest allows you to leave instructions on the disposal • Consolidation service to New York, California, Canada and Australia of your money, real estate or property*. A bequest to the OSA is an enduring reminder of your solidarity with our compatriots abroad. Swiss Office U.S. Office The Organisation for the Swiss Abroad uses all such funds to assist SWISS MOVING SERVICE AG OVERSEAS BROKERS, INC. In der Luberzen 19 111 Great Neck Road Swiss Abroad in accordance with the testator’s instructions. CH-8902 Urdorf Zurich/Switzerland Great Neck, NY 11021 *To do this you need to draw up a will. The OSA offers an informative, easy-to-understand phone: +41/44/466 9000 phone: (516) 773-6100 brochure on how to draw up a will: Contact the OSA Legal Service, "Rechtsdienst der ASO", fax: +41/44/461 9010 Toll free: (800) 752-1102 Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne or e-mail [email protected] [email protected] fax: (516) 773-6103 www.swiss-moving-service.ch [email protected] Help us to help you! MAILBAG BOOKS 5

Fair and right? for publicity on the La Welsch Music. Odd as it may seem, this rather Swiss It was with great inter- last page of the jour- German title belongs to a book about the music scene est that I read the last nal, whereas all other in French-speaking Switzerland written in German. issue of the “Swiss parties are squished Penned by journalist Dieter Kohler, “La Welsch Music” Review” dedicated together on some mid- offers a substantial overview of the most popular mu- entirely to the elec- dle page. A few weeks sicians of western Switzerland, where the author spent tions. The infl uence of before important elec- fi ve years as a correspondent for Swiss Radio DRS. Thir- the Fifth Switzerland was dis- tions this could be interpreted as teen extensive portraits present male and female art- cussed, and you raised the ques- a manipulation of voting citizens ists of every conceivable musical persuasion, from tion of whether expatriate Swiss and you should take great care chanson through pop to hip-hop, including the likes citizens would soon be sitting on not to favor any party, particu- of K, Jérémie Kisling, Stress, Simon Gerber, Gustav, Sar- the National Council. However, larly the one that is viewed from clo, Bel Hubert and Polar. Brief portraits of a further one aspect of the debate was the outside as divisive and xeno- 30 artists complete the overall picture. Although overlooked: is it fair and right for phobic among others. Dieter Kohler focuses primarily on chansonniers and

the composition of the govern- GEORG EHRET, BROADWAY, USA Switzerland from French-speaking Music hip-hop artists, his own preferences are clearly rock- ment to be chosen in part by peo- related. He even describes Favez from Lausanne as Switzer- ple living outside its sphere of in- Editor’s note: The three SVP land’s best rock band! Of particular interest is the presenta- fl uence, when at the same time candidates were presented in detail tion of the energetic and original Fribourg-based singer more than 20% of the population because they are members of the Gustav. His speciality: just like Stephan Eicher, he sings in of Switzerland are denied this Council of the Swiss Abroad. both Swiss German and French. For all the rock, folk, reggae right simply because they do not All the political parties were free and Latin musicians in the book, Gus- belong to the exclusive club of to place ads. tav is probably the most typically Swiss Swiss citizens? Surely it runs of all the artists presented. And as be- counter to democratic ideals if Low level fi ts a book about music, it is accompa- people like myself, who have lived Although my family and I have nied by a CD containing examples of on the other side of the world for been living in the Dominican Re- the works of the extensively presented years (and others who have never public for the past four years, I musicians. resided in Switzerland), have a still take an avid interest in what La Welsch Music, Chanson, Pop und Rap aus say in shaping events in a faraway, is happening back in my home- der Westschweiz, by Dieter Kohler, published albeit beloved, country, while land. Apart from the “Swiss Re- by Christoph Merian, Basel, 2006. large sections of the domestic view”, whose layout and content population have no right I commend you for, I regularly Happy birthday, Petzi! Did you say Petzi? What’s that? to determine their own future. read “swissinfo”, the “NZZ” and Surely not that adventurous little bear from children’s comic ANDREAS BÜRKI, SEOUL, the “Tages-Anzeiger” online. As books! If not exactly him, www.petzi.ch is all about a talent REPUBLIC OF KOREA in Switzerland, there will soon be for improvisation and an openness to novelty. www.petzi.ch elections here too, and I couldn’t is the Web site of the PETZI association, the umbrella organ- Army knives help noticing that the expensive isation of Swiss music clubs, which represents the so-called I was appalled to read your article election campaigns of the major “alternative” music venues in Switzerland, of which there about Swiss army knives. It’s parties in both countries have are no fewer than 60. It is this Petzi that has just celebrated unthinkable for a Swiss soldier reached more or less the same its 10th anniversary. www.petzi.ch is more than an exten- to have to carry a knife made in (low) level, with the Helvetic sive source of information for night owls hunting for select China. Whatever happened to style aligning itself with the Latin concerts. It also sells tickets for upcoming events. Music fans Swiss pride? Will Swiss chocolate American one rather than the are therefore never more than a few clicks away from details and Swiss cheese soon also be other way round. Instead of of- of who’s playing at which of the up to 700-seater venues on made in China? How could Swit- fering solutions to the now truly a given date. Don’t forget that all the bands now selling mil- zerland sell out in this way? unmistakeable problems (the lions of CDs started out by playing on small stages like that BETTY JUCKER, YOKNAM, ISRAEL environment, social welfare, the of the Fri-Son in Fribourg or the Rote Fabrik in Zurich. And integration of foreigners, fi scal ask any die-hard fan whether the best concert by his favour- Expatriate Candidates justice, equal opportunities, ite group was held in a mega-stadium or a small club, and I value the “Swiss Review” as a etc.), the electioneering has the answer is more than likely to be the latter. These venues refreshing and concise source on degenerated into mud-slinging are just as open to internationally renowned bands as they current issues back home. Your and doesn’t even shy away from are to popular local artists, and provide backing and act as a last edition surprised me: all three denigrating or making false accu- breeding ground for newly developing musical trends. At the of the “expatriate candidates” sations about individual candi- same time, www.petzi.ch forms a kind of bridge between the December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 listed with their picture are mem- dates, male and female alike. different clubs, thus enabling joint projects to be organised bers of the SVP. In addition the HANS PETER SOLARI, HIGÜEY, and run. As such it is not just a source of new sounds, but

SWISS REVIEW SVP occupies an attractive slot DOMINICAN REPUBLIC also of opportunities and new ideas. ALAIN WEY 6 A CHRISTMAS TALE

tram driver hans wagner had volunteered to work on At one in the morning, the last tour and Wagner’s shift came christmas eve even though Charlotte had bombarded him with to an end. Gut said goodbye to the tram driver and handed him an accusations. “That’s great!” she had cried. “I get to feed the whole envelope. They were now on fi rst-name terms. family and you just swan off!” Wagner shook the old man’s hand. “You’ll come for dinner to- It was dark already. Wagner crouched in his cab, wondering morrow night, won’t you? We’re having leftovers. Lotti is a whiz why families gathered together on Christmas Eve when they knew with leftovers!” it would end in an argument. Ilse, his sister-in-law, had made a few When Wagner got home, his wife was clearing up the living cutting remarks about tram drivers’ pay the moment she had room. “How was it?” he asked, throwing his tram driver’s cap to- arrived, and bragged about her Caribbean cruise, while his mother- wards the cupboard. in-law had snarled at him, “Well, “Same as always,” she replied. “Ilse they can afford that sort of thing.” gave me a suitcase. What do I want He’d have loved to have treated with a suitcase?” She put the remain- Charlotte to a cruise. The three chil- A Christmas Journey ing glasses onto a tray and picked it dren brought her more than her fair up. share of stress. But grade 16 wages only BY -MINU Wagner took the tray out of her just brought him enough for the pres- hands. “For once, Ilse has had a won- sure cooker she had asked for. derful idea,” he said. “Why don’t we Wagner peered into the rear-view go away?” Charlotte managed a bitter mirror. Ever since the last-minute rush laugh. “What with?” He hugged her. at around 5pm, the city had been vir- “That’s my little surprise. Let’s just call tually deserted. The fi rst Christmas it something to go in the pressure trees were being lit in the suburbs. His cooker.” She looked stunned as she saw tram was almost empty. the contents of the envelope he held All that remained was the old man out: three purple banknotes. “But in the fur-collared coat on the back Hans ... Hans ... That’s ... Where did row who was already on his third cir- you get these from?” Hans Wanger cuit. stroked his wife’s hair. “Miracles some- Max Gut kept checking the small times happen at Christmas. Believe it mobile telephone that he had treated or not, Father Christmas was sitting himself to six months earlier. He had given both of his sons the on the number 6 tram today.” number. But apart from the time one of them had needed a signa- Max Gut was feeling satisfi ed, almost happy, when he got ture to sell some land, the phone had never rung. This year, Patrick home. It was a nice feeling bringing people joy. After all, wasn’t had warned him that he’d be skiing over Christmas and his brother that the idea behind Christmas? would be accompanying him. He heard the phone ringing as he reached his front door. He At the end of the line, the tram rattled into the reversing loop. quickly opened it. “Where have you been? We must have called Max Gut remained seated. Suddenly he found the driver standing you a hundred times! We were really worried!” It was his two sons next to him. “Happy Christmas,” the driver said. “I guess you’re calling excitedly down the phone. “We even tried to reach you on alone.” Hans Wagner was used to people who got on but didn’t get your mobile.” off again. Most of them were just lonely. He sat down next to his Max Gut felt a lump in his throat. He took the mobile phone passenger on the two-seater bench, unscrewed the lid of his ther- out of his pocket. It was switched off. “I was sitting on the tram,” mos of coffee and passed Gut a piece of Christmas cake. “From he whispered. “on the tram?! And you haven’t even commented my wife. She makes the very best.” on our surprise!” they shouted accusingly. “Didn’t you get the ex- “It isn’t good to be alone,” Gut whispered. “Especially on press letter?” Christmas Eve.” Express letter? Max Gut had ignored the red note on his let- “You can have a family and yet still be alone,” Wagner replied. terbox, convinced that it must have been a mistake. Who’d send He told his passenger about the tensions at home. “I’d like to go him an express letter? on holiday with my wife once. Just the two of us.” Wagner sighed. “There’s a train ticket inside. We’ll pick you up in Davos to- “That’s virtually impossible with three kids. I occasionally do over- morrow and ... What’s wrong, Dad?” time or take on shifts that my colleagues don’t want, like tonight. Max Gut wiped the tears away. “I’m OK. But you should en- That’s how I make ends meet.” He laughed bitterly. “But there’s joy your skiing holiday too. I’ll gladly come, but I’ll bring along a not enough for extras, and that hurts. I’d love to be able to give couple I recently met. The husband is a bit like the Father Christ- my wife something special to show her how much she means to mas of the number 6 tram.” December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 me.” Max Gut looked at the tram driver and smiled. “She has the hanspeter hammel, SWISS REVIEW Photo: Keystone best present of all,” he said. “Someone who loves her dearly.” alias -minu, is an author and journalist. He lives in Basel and Rome. IMAGES 7

Aerial photography. Swiss balloonist Eduard Spelterini (1852–1931) was famous throughout Europe. From 1893, he used his balloon fl ights to take aerial photographs. He was the fi rst person to fl y over the Alps and take pictures of them. He immortalised Swiss cities, but also landscapes and locations in Egypt, the Orient and South Africa. His photographs have now been printed in book form for the very fi rst time. The illustrated book is published in English and German and can be ordered at www.scheidegger-spiess.ch

Lake Zurich and surrounding area seen from the west, 1904 Zurich old town and main station seen from the east, 1909/1910

Basel and the Rhine bridges seen from the north old town, Parc des Bastions and cathedral seen from the south-west December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007

SWISS REVIEW Photos: Scheidegger & Spiess, Zurich St Gallen old town, 1893? Interlaken and the balloon‘s takeoff spot 8 EINSIEDELN MONASTERY

A monastery in the 21st century. The Benedictine abbey of Einsiedeln (SZ), a famous place of pilgrimage, lives in harmony with the 21st century without losing sight of its traditions. The monastery is a hive of activity, with a variety of workshops, schools and Europe’s oldest stud farm within its walls. The door opens and we step inside to meet the monks. By Alain Wey Abbot Martin Werlen

The Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of the “How would the area have looked prior to this outlived him and remained fresh in peo- proudly occupies a spot near the the 10th century?” I ask. It was all dense for- ple’s minds long after the monastery was Sihlsee south of Lake Zurich. The monas- est, they tell me. The Sihlsee, Switzerland’s founded. Even the name Einsiedeln is de- tery’s impressive and evocative two bell largest artifi cial lake, has only existed since rived from the German word for hermits. towers almost root visitors to the spot in 1937. “In 835, a Benedictine monk called Forty-fi ve-year-old Martin Werlen, Swit- contemplative observation. Mystery lies in Meinrad left the island of Reichenau on zerland’s youngest abbot, has led the abbey the air, and charades of spirits conjure up and withdrew to the ‘dark since 2001. He is the 58th abbot of Ein- medieval heroic myths. A thousand years. forest’ south of Lake Zurich, where he set- siedeln, and responsible for not only the I’m sorry? This place is older than the Swiss tled,” the abbot tells us. “He was slain in 80 monks of Einsiedeln but also 28 nuns liv- confederation! Every year, almost a million 861.” The perpetrators, two robbers whom ing at the convent in Fahr. “My job is to up- pilgrims visit Einsiedeln monastery, the had invited in, were followed all hold and renew the basic tenets of the abbey, founded in 934. And yet the pilgrimages the way to Zurich by Meinrad’s two ravens, namely that it should be a place in which to are only the visible tip of the iceberg, for where the men were recognised and con- encounter God, people and Creation, a the abbey has many surprises up its sleeve: victed. This is why the abbey’s crest shows place where one can encounter oneself. It is schools, workshops and the oldest stud two ravens on a yellow background. Seventy a very exciting challenge to put these prin- farm in Europe. Indeed a mini universe ex- years later, a monastery was built on the ciples into practice and anchor them in the ists behind the walls of the monastery. Ab- former site of Meinrad’s hermitage. Al- beginning of the 21st century.” The monks’ bot Martin Werlen and Fathers Alois Kur- though he lived as a hermit and dedicated primary task is to serve God. They gather to mann and Lorenz Moser take us on a tour his entire life to God, many people came to pray six times a day, and spend a lot of their of the abbey. Meinrad seeking his advice. The memory of time looking after pilgrims. December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007

SWISS REVIEW Bruno Greis/Copyright:Photos: P. Einsiedeln Monastery Einsiedeln Monastery was founded in 934 9

Monks at prayer A manuscript from the library The monastery is self-suffi cient

FACTS AND FIGURES that a million pilgrims a year pass through scripts (more than 500 of which were pro- ■ There are 80 monks in Einsiedeln Abbey Einsiedeln. In addition, the abbey accommo- duced before 1500), 1100 incunabula and and 28 nuns at Fahr Convent (founded 1130) dates some 800 people a year in its 35 guest fi rst editions (until 1520) and 230,000 near Zurich. Einsiedeln is the only Benedic- rooms, and these visitors spend anything printed volumes (from the 16th century to tine monastery whose abbot heads religious from two days to a week at the monastery. the present day). communities for both men and women. The ■ Benedictine monks from Einsiedeln have ■ The abbey has about a thousand hectares oldest monk is 88 years old, the youngest – gone on to found in north and of woodland managed by a team of seven to a novice – is 22. south America. eight foresters. ■ Pilgrims: The local tourist board estimates ■ The abbey’s library contains 1230 manu- www.kloster-einsiedeln.ch

In many respects, today’s abbey is like a gious community, a place of pilgrimage, a Alois tells us about the monastery’s dyna- medium-sized company. “In addition to cultural centre through its library, an edu- mism. The Latin teacher unlocks door af- the monks, some 180 lay brothers live in the cational establishment, entrepreneurial un- ter door using an ancient bunch of keys. monastery,” the abbot explains. “There are dertaking and producer of wine and wood, The abbey maintains no fewer than three carpenters, painters, printers, bookbinders, landowner (leasing out farms), hotelier and schools: a mixed-sex 340-pupil grammar roofers, plumbers, electricians, gardeners, horse-breeder. This diversification is school specialising in classics and founded stable hands and vintners.” unique and fascinating!” in 1839, a seminary (1620) and an agricul- “It’s hard to imagine how big the monas- The abbey has always been a cultural tural college for women at Fahr Convent tery really is,” adds Reto Krismer, the mon- stronghold. While walking through the (1944). Through the windows you can see astery’s administrative director. “It’s a reli- wide, light corridors, 64-year-old Father the grammar school’s sports grounds, which December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007

SWISS REVIEW Bruno Greis/Copyright:Photos: P. Einsiedeln Monastery The sight pilgrims come to see: Einsiedeln‘s black Madonna in the baroque church 10 EINSIEDELN MONASTERY

will soon undergo extensive renovation. In Virgin Mary wasn’t always black,” the ab- the 17th century. The cellars were added in the abbey’s music library, Father Lukas bot says. “The fi rst chapel was very small, 1704 when the baroque abbey was built. Helg shows us a priceless gem: a musical so the soot from the candles gradually “We are constantly renovating and restor- score hand-written by Mozart in . blackened the statue over the centuries. In ing the different parts of the abbey,” Abbot The library contains more than 6000 mu- order to prevent it being damaged during Martin says. “That’s why it’s crucial that we sical works and houses a collection of pieces the French Revolution, the statue was have the original plans. Luckily, our ar- by 19th-century Swiss composers. The smuggled to Austria, where it was restored chives go right back to the 10th century.” splendid baroque rococo-style hall of the and cleaned. But when the people spied the Just like in the French town of Lourdes, library is used to store manuscripts, some pristine Madonna fi gure again, they were miracles are said to have happened in Ein- of which are as old as the abbey itself. disappointed because the black had gone. siedeln. What does the abbot think about A few steps inside the entrance of the ba- So she was simply painted black!” The ab- this? “Many miracles occur here, though roque church erected in 1735, the Chapel of bey’s cellars contain 35,000 bottles of wine, the greatest aren’t necessarily the most Our Lady (or Chapel of the Black Ma- most of which stems from the abbey’s own spectacular, but rather take place when donna) occupies the spot where St. Mein- vineyards in Pfäffi kon. Wine has been pro- people rediscover a purpose in their life rad’s altar once stood. “The statue of the duced on the shores of Lake Zurich since and renewed hope.”

A THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD STUD FARM It also offers stables and has a riding school complete renovation, so the carpenters, ■ The stables of Einsiedeln Abbey, estab- with its own ultra-modern riding hall built locksmiths, bricklayers, painters and other lished in 934, are considered the oldest in 2004. Thirty-fi ve horses are currently craftsmen at the monastery’s workshops and best preserved stud farm in Europe. In housed in the stables, 18 Einsiedlers and have plenty to do. The renovation is due the fi rst century of its existence, the monks 17 boarders. “The Einsiedler is a Warmblood to be fi nished in 2008. The stud farm is run were mainly noblemen; knights who brought horse in terms of its temperament and mor- by an experienced horse-breeder and her their riding horses with them. The abbey’s phology,” explains Father Lorenz Moser, four stable hands, who look after the horses horses were once known as “cavalli della the monastery’s stable-master. “It is a and give riding lessons. A vet visits the ani- Madonna” (horses of Our Lady). Today they medium-sized horse standing about 16 mals several times a week. Over the course are simply called Einsiedler horses. “When- hands (165 cm) to the withers, with a life of its thousand-year history, the Einsiedler ever the abbot travelled to Rome or Trieste expectancy of about 20 years.” Two foals has been crossed with various other breeds, in the 16th century, the Italians were always are born on the farm each year. “We don’t though the sporty character of this wonder- very surprised and impressed by the cavalli want any more than that because we need ful horse, whose historic roots stretch all della Madonna,” Abbot Martin says. But the mares for riding,” he adds. The old the way back to the 10th century, has always the stud farm doesn’t only breed horses. stables from 1768 are currently under going shone through. December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007

SWISS REVIEW Bruno Greis/Copyright:Photos: P. Einsiedeln Monastery The monastery‘s stud farm is considered the oldest in Europe SWISS REVIEW December 2007 / No. 6 of CHF 40 includesthebasic of CHF40 What are theterms? unique intheworld. control. Thisprogram is – inotherwords beyond their livelihood forpoliticalreasons cial consequencesofaloss are insured against thefi pats inthiscontext:members exclusive offerforSwiss ex- helped. But Soliswisshasan affected cannotexpect tobe political backgrounds, those zation orother measures with rest, war, terrorism, nationali- lihood causedbypoliticalun- tect themselves? “fifth partofSwitzerland” pro- How cantheinhabitantsof the be catastrophic. involved insuchincidentscan damage incurred bypeople Madrid, Bali, andLuxor. The like New York, London, even inallegedlysafe places threat towestern democracies dle East. 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Thus, exclusively togrant lump- pensation Fund whichisused to theSoliswissRiskCom- amounts are fullycredited who liveabroad. These ness amongSwiss citizens are agesture oflike-minded- live inrisk-pronecountries. But notallSoliswissmembers to CHF150,000permember. compensation islimited at anytime. Thelump-sum any supplementary coverage to increase, reduce, orcancel Members canchoose coverage ofCHF10,000. by providing a Swiss citizen with the means to get a new start inlife. start anew meanstoget the aSwisscitizenwith providing by and rebuild herfuture. Thus,Soliswisshasfulfi lled itspurpose inLebanon,Xcanreturn warfare endofthe lumpsumandthe of the receipt compensation.After 90,000,sheappliedfor toCHF cal risks politi- against and increased herlump-sumcompensationcoverage SinceXisaSoliswiss member businesswere destroyed. and the Swissembassy. The house the by evacuated was family war, the the asmallbusiness.During home,andjointlyoperates a single-family owns children, Thecouplehasthree herpartner. with there Years toLebanonandtookupresidence ago,SwisscitizenXmoved EXAMPLE OFALUMP-SUM COMPENSATION Swiss citizenswholiveor The riskcontributions sation guarantee withouta compen- his orherlump-sum the opportunitytoadopt the member’s relatives have member dies? What happensifaSoliswiss expires. before thewaiting period sations are notpaidout status. compen- Lump-sum fi for membershipwithinthe mits hisorherapplication one year ifthemembersub- The waiting periodisonly rence ofthelosslivelihood. two years priortotheoccur- has beeninplaceat least tion ispaidoutifthecoverage in distress? be insured toreceive support How longmustamember tion amount. compensa- agreed lump-sum coverage costs0.4%ofthe ship terms, theadditional extra coverage? How muchdomemberspayfor reasons. or herlivelihoodforpolitical compensation? Who iseligibletoreceive Swiss diplomatic mission. registers withtherespective activated whenthemember compensation coverage is rst fi In theeventofdeath, The lump-sum compensa- The lump-sum Under theannualmember- Any memberwholoseshis ve years oftheexpat new waiting period. guarantee again, without a compensation lump-sum immediately benefit from the foreign countryagain, they later take upresidence ina stay inSwitzerland. If they bers fortheduration oftheir they becomesolidaritymem- protection inplace. If not, they canleavethelump-sum former countryofresidence, nificant property intheir options: iftheystillown sig- zerland? an expatwhoreturns toSwit- What abouttheriskcoverage of these payments. not besuffi antee incaseequityshould limited Federal defaultguar- has granted Soliswissanun- tion, theSwiss government with theArticlesofAssocia- tion paymentsincompliance Is thisfi Soliswiss program. have benefi families around theworld assisted sofar? How manypersonshavebeen Relief Fund. or agrant from theAuxiliary compensation lump-sum decides onthepaymentofa the ArticlesofAssociation ing claimsandpursuantto Committee reviews allincom- receives support? Who decideswhetheramember fi bility requirements are ful- member, provided theeligi- pensation inbehalfofthe com- can claimthelump-sum grounds, hisorherrelatives events withpoliticalback- member diesasaresult of waiting period.If aSoliswiss lled. Such membershaveseveral For compensa- lump-sum Overall, more than600 The SoliswissExecutive nancial supportsecured? cient tomake ted from this 12 NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT

The network large, geographically wide- defending Swiss interests. In 2008, the FDFA plans spread network of represen- It is a proven tool and satis- to close the consulates gen- of Swiss foreign tations, currently compris- fi es many of the needs of eral in Osaka and Bordeaux, missions ing more than 150 missions Swiss foreign policy. It is and open a new embassy in (diplomatic and consular constantly being evaluated the Azerbaijani capital Baku. The Federal Department services) as well as coopera- and where necessary The work previously un- of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) tion offi ces and honorary adapted in line with devel- dertaken at the consulates has issued the following consulates (see table in next opments in our priorities. now closed will have to be infor mation about the column). The principle In response to the strict handled by other missions in strategy for developing the of universality is refl ected austerity measures adopted the relevant country. network of Swiss foreign in the furthering of our in- by the Swiss Parliament In parallel to this, the representations and about terests worldwide, our inde- in recent years, the Federal FDFA has appointed honor- ongoing restructuring. pendence and our policy Department of Foreign ary consuls whose key task is of neutrality. This principle Affairs felt obliged to re- to safeguard Swiss interests General information will also remain inviolable in structure its network of for- in their particular region and and strategy the future. If gaps occur, eign representations while maintain contact between In accordance with the prin- it is up to us to fi ll them. continuing to further our the Swiss authorities and the ciple of universality, Swit- Although we could theoreti- country’s high-priority in- local Swiss community zerland has relations with cally restrict our network to terests. through its associations. every country in the world a handful of large represen- In 2006, the FDFA also through its foreign policy. tations, this would neither THE NETWORK OF SWISS decided to open two new This network can be de- further our country’s inter- FOREIGN REPRESENTATIONS consulates general, one in scribed as close-knit when ests nor satisfy the needs AS AT 1.10.2007 St.Peters burg and the other compared to those of other of expatriate Swiss citizens, Embassies 96 in Guangzhou (China), on countries. In order to safe- who rely on our services. Missions 12 account of the high demand guard its interests abroad, The foreign network Consulates 37 for consular services in these Switzerland maintains a fulfi ls a central role in Miscellaneous offi ces 6 two regions. Honorary consulates 176 Cooperation offi ces 42 The future In the future we expect Recent restructuring the focus of the network of Since the early 1990s, 22 Swiss foreign representa- missions (six embassies and tions to shift from Europe to 16 consulates general) have areas outside Europe. At had to close. Over the same present, 41 percent of Swiss period, 20 new missions representations and 43 per- have been opened, primarily cent of our “mobile” staff embassies, most of them in are located within Europe. Europe, as a result of the This concentration may expansion of the European appear natural at fi rst sight Union and the breakdown given Switzerland’s close po- of the Soviet Union and the litical and economic ties former Yugoslavia. with its fellow European na- Due to the cost-cutting tions, but it does not refl ect measures approved by Par- the reality on the ground. At liament in 2004, the Federal the political level, bilateral Department of Foreign agreements are increasingly Affairs decided to close nine being negotiated within the consulates general from framework of the European 2005 onwards. This has been institutions in Brussels partly completed, with the rather than directly with in- offi ces in Amsterdam, Man- dividual countries, as was chester, Las Palmas, Dres- previously the case. Indeed den, Melbourne and Hou- our representations play a December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 ston closing in 2006 and the less important role for Swiss representation in Naples citizens resident in Europe

SWISS REVIEW closing this year. and North America than for 13

NOTICE FROM THE SWISS COMPENSATION OFFICE Against fat-cat both monetary and in kind, TO VOLUNTARILY INSURED PERSONS at their annual general meet- As announced in issue 6/05 of the Swiss Review, the Swiss Compen- payouts ing. Shareholders would also sation Offi ce has closed its foreign Old-age, Survivors’ and Disability The politically independent decide on the membership Insurance (AHV/IV) offi ces. We have now concentrated all our committee “Federal Popular of the board of directors, activities in Geneva. All insured persons have already been notifi ed Initiative Against Fat-cat remuneration committee and per sonally in writing about the change. All the insurance fi les are Payouts” launched the advisory board every year. now stored in Geneva. federal initiative “against Departing managers would After the reform of the voluntary AHV/IV scheme in January fat-cat payouts” in October not be given golden hand- 2001, which led to a signifi cant fall in the number of insured 2006 (see Swiss Review shakes anymore, and advance persons, this reorganisation was deemed inevitable. 1/07). The committee wants payments and bonuses for The changes do not affect people who already receive an AHV to increase the co-determi- corporate mergers and acqui- or IV pension. nation rights of sharehold- sitions would also be forbid- The Swiss Compensation Offi ce and the IV offi ce for insured ers. The new ruling would den. Because shareholders persons residing outside Switzerland, both of which are divisions only affect Swiss public are often spread out around of the Central Compensation Offi ce, are jointly responsible for limited companies listed in the world, the initiative the administration of the voluntary AHV/IV scheme. Switzerland or abroad. wants to strengthen their For further information concerning contributions, please decision-making powers contact: Zentrale Ausgleichsstelle ZAS, Schweizerische Ausgleichs- In recent years, the directors by introducing electronic kasse SAK, Freiwillige Versicherung, Beitraege, Avenue and managers of Swiss pub- remote voting via SMS or Edmond-Vaucher 18, Case postale 3100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, licly listed fi rms have re- over the Internet. Tel. +41 22 795 9111, Fax +41 22 795 1501, [email protected], ceived rewards worth mil- In addition to amending www.avs-ai-international.ch lions. This initiative aims the Federal Constitution, For further information concerning old age pension and survi- to restrict such payouts the initiative also wants the vors’ (AHV) benefi ts, please contact: Zentrale Ausgleichsstelle ZAS, by giving shareholders a Provisional Regulations Schweizerische Ausgleichskasse SAK, Freiwillige Versicherung, greater say in such matters. changed. A new clause 8 of Leistungen, Avenue Edmond-Vaucher 18, Case postale 3100, The initiators also believe Article 197 of these regula- CH-1211 Geneva 2, Tel. +41 22 795 9111, Fax +41 22 795 9703, that the draft amendment tions would oblige the Gov- [email protected], www.avs-ai-international.ch to the Swiss joint-stock ernment to issue a decree For further information concerning disability (IV) benefi ts, legis lation does not go far enforcing the measures if the please contact: Zentrale Ausgleichsstelle ZAS, IV-Leistungen fuer enough. new constitutional amend- Auslandschweizer, Avenue Edmond-Vaucher 18, Case postale 3100, The initiative calls for a ment does come into effect CH-1211 Geneva 2, Tel. +41 22 795 9111, Fax +41 22 795 9950, change to Article 95 of the within a year of being ap- [email protected], www.avs-ai-international.ch Swiss Federal Constitution. proved by the two chambers SWISS COMPENSATION OFFICE – VOLUNTARY INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS A new Paragraph 3 of this of Parliament. Translated from French article would oblige all com- The initiative can be panies to vote on all pay- signed until 1 May 2008. those living elsewhere. The Africa and Latin America, ments to their management, Translated from German reason for this is that bureau- which is why the representa- cratic procedures in Europe tions in these regions are ful- and North America are sim- fi lling an increasingly impor- POPULAR INITIATIVES pler to grasp since the legal tant role. It is therefore The following initiatives have been launched since the last issue: norms are comparable to inevitable that our human and ■ “For protection against gun-related violence” (until 4 March 2009) those in Switzerland. As fi nancial resources will be re- ■ “Home ownership through building society savings” such, Swiss citizens know distributed to reduce the con- (until 7 February 2009) what to do and can therefore centration of representations ■ “Secure housing in old age” (until 7 February 2009) do without our support. in Europe and North America ■ “For freedom of expression – No to censorship!” Furthermore, migration for the benefi t of all other re- (until 7 February 2009) from these regions does not gions. Signature forms for current initiatives can be downloaded pose any problems in terms The current restructuring from the Federal Chancellery site: of visa applications or the and cost-cutting measures www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/vi/vis_1_3_1_1.html repatriation of failed asylum within the FDFA will proba- Translated from German seekers, matters regularly bly lead to further closures faced by representations in of representations and consu- RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFICIAL FDFA INFORMATION PAGES: December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 other countries. The situa- lates general. GABRIELA BRODBECK, SERVICE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD/FDFA, BUNDES- FDFA DIRECTORATE GASSE 32, CH-3003 BERNE, TEL. +41 31 324 23 98, FAX: +41 31 324 23 60 tion is fundamentally differ- FOR MANAGEMENT

SWISS REVIEW ent in Asia, the Middle East, Translated from French WWW.EDA.ADMIN.CH/ASD, [email protected] 14 FEDERAL ELECTIONS 2007

SVP on a high, SPS in the doldrums cial resources which it isn’t obliged to dis- The Swiss People’s Party has emerged as the winner of the gen- close. And most importantly, the party has in Christoph Blocher a charismatic leader who eral election for the fi fth time in succession. The Social Demo- exuded patriotic sentiments on thousands of cratic Party suffered a bitter blow. Turnout, at 48.8 percent, was election posters throughout Switzerland. higher than at any time since the 1980s. By Rolf Ribi As recently as two years ago, the Social Democrats had aspirations to be the largest group in parliament. And yet now they have The hotly-contested election ended with a red-green camp. Indeed lost nine seats, are re- historic result on a cold Sunday in October. it has fully 19 seats more duced to only 43 seats The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) gained a 29- than the second-largest on the National Council percent share of the vote, its best showing party in the National and received less that 20 since the introduction of proportional rep- Council, the SPS. The percent of the votes cast. resentation in 1919. Meanwhile, the Swiss SVP managed to in- They lost no fewer than Social Democratic Party (SPS) failed to get crease its share of the three seats in Zurich more than 20 percent for the fi rst time since vote in nearly every can- canton alone, as well as 1991, picking up just 19.5 percent of votes ton, not only in its tradi- a further two in Berne cast. “The outcome of the 2007 election tional strongholds in the and one each in Basel strengthens the hand of nationalist and Mittelland and eastern City, Neuchâtel, Solo- conservative forces,” the “NZZ” newspaper Switzerland, but also in thurn and the . commented. central Switzerland and The SPS may have The scale of the election victory for the French-speaking areas. proven credentials on SVP and the disappointing results for the What are the reasons The cartoonist Schaad in “Tages-Anzeiger” welfare and environ- SPS came as a surprise. The right-wing SVP for the historically mental policies, but the won an extra seven seats and now holds 62 of unique upswing in the SVP’s fortunes? It party wasn’t able to present its manifesto the 200 seats on the National Council. It sounds out public sentiment and addresses clearly. As a result, many SPS supporters therefore has the same number of represent- issues the Swiss care about. It employs a con- chose to vote for the left-of-centre Green atives in parliament as the Free Democrats vincing style of political marketing and Party (GPS) and the Green Liberals (GLP) (FDP) and Christian Democrats (CVP) knows how to rally its members to assist in instead. The SPS’s loss of nine seats there- combined, and nearly as many as the entire campaigning. It has seemingly limitless fi nan- fore contrasted with the gain of 10 seats by these two ecology-based parties. National Council Elections 2007 – Projection The other big loser in October’s general Percentage of votes cast for each party election was the centre-right Free Democratic Party. The FDP wasn’t able to halt its ongo- Source: Projections and fi nal results (as at 9pm on Sunday) ing downward slide, and shed a total of fi ve seats to fi nish up with just 31. Despite being one of federal Switzerland’s founding politi- cal parties, the FDP’s share of the vote shrank

Greens 19 by 1.5 percent to an all-time low of 15.6 per- cent. The FDP lost a seat in the cantons of Schaffhausen, Solothurn, St.Gallen, Vaud and Total Zurich. Meanwhile, the smaller Swiss Liberal 200 seats Others 10 Party (LPS) was able to hold onto its four Distribution of seats seats in coalition with the Free Democrats. The conservative CVP was able to make

Greens Misc. gains at the national level for the fi rst time since 1979, adding three seats to the 28 it al- ready had. That means the Christian Dem- National Council elections 2007 – Number of seats held by each party 1983–2007 ocrats and Free Democrats now have the same number of representatives in the large chamber. Nevertheless, the CVP couldn’t quite reach its declared target of 15 percent of votes, picking up 14.6 percent. Because it got fewer votes than the FDP, it will have to December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 temporarily shelve its plans to obtain a sec- ond seat on the Federal Council. The CVP

SWISS REVIEW Charts: Keystone won an extra seat in the cantons of Aargau, 15

on the Council of States Truly historic for the very fi rst time in The results of the National Council elec- Geneva. Not all of the tions deserve to be labelled historic. Since 46 seats have been allo- the introduction of proportional represen- cated. So far, only 29 of tation in 1919, no party has ever increased the 41 available seats its share of the vote by as much as the have been won outright. Swiss People’s Party (SVP) on 21 October. A second round of vot- The SVP even made gains in areas where it ing will be required to thought it was at its peak. On the other decide the winners of a side of the coin, the Social Democrats have further 12 seats in the suffered an equally historic defeat. In- cantons of Zurich, stead of reaching its target of becoming St.Gallen, Lucerne, the strongest party, the SP now trails the The SVP blows right across Switzerland. The cartoonist Burki in “24 Heures” Neuchâtel, Valais, Ti- SVP by 10 percent and 20 seats. And de- cino and Vaud. Al- Solothurn, Vaud, Valais and Zurich, but lost though there is a strong centre-right block spite making considerable headway, the a seat in Jura canton and . in the small chamber in the shape of the CVP Greens couldn’t compensate for the SP’s The GPS joins the SVP as the big winners and FDP, even minor shifts in seat allocation losses. Overall, therefore, the Swiss Parlia- of the election, despite missing its 10-per- could have a signifi cant effect, for instance ment has shifted slightly to the right, even cent target by 0.4 percent. Even so, the GPS through possible alliances between the CVP though the blocks themselves remain rela- parliamentary group has almost trebled in and the SPS and Greens. tively stable. size, from seven to 20. The Greens gained Wins by the Christian Democrats and the two seats in Zurich and one each in the can- Next up: the Federal Council election newly-formed Green Liberals have under- tons of Basel City, Berne, Geneva, Solothurn The general election will be followed by the pinned the camp that generally shapes so- and Vaud. Although the GPS is a relatively election of the Federal Council on 12 Decem- lutions acceptable to the majority of MPs. new party and stems from the popular move- ber. Three uncertainties have already been Just as in the past, left- and right-wing ment of the late 1970s, it is now the fi fth- cleared up. Firstly, given the stronger-than- proposals will only succeed through com- largest party in Switzerland. It is clearly left- expected showing for right-wing parties, it promise with the centrist parties, espe- wing, but it is most credible on ecological appears unlikely that Christoph Blocher will cially since the Christian Democrats and issues. be deselected as demanded by the Social Free Democrats continue to have a major- Democrats and Greens. Secondly, the CVP ity of the seats on the Council of States. Stability on the Council of States will have to wait a little longer before it can After a costly and rather heated election The fi rst round of voting for the Council of expect to secure a second ministerial post at States did not produce any major upsets. The the FDP’s expense. Thirdly, the Greens are campaign by Swiss standards, the politi- Social Democrats picked up a seat in Basel- still a long way from getting a place in gov- cians can now get back to work again. And Land canton, while the Greens gained a seat ernment. they have plenty of important issues to ad- dress: over the next four years, the Agree- POLITICS: TWO REFERENDA TO BE HELD ON 24 FEBRUARY 2008 ment on the Free Movement of People with In February, the Swiss people on only 50 percent of their The initiative against jet the EU will have to be reviewed, fi nancing will be asked to vote on a holdings if these are in their fi ghter noise arose out of dis- secured for the Invalidity Insurance reform of corporate taxation own fi rm, and on no more cussions about noise pollu- scheme, and both the health insurance and on the popular initiative than 60 percent if the shares tion around Meiringen mili- and AHV systems must be reformed. Other “Against Jet Fighter Noise are in private hands. The tary airbase. It calls for a ban topics they’ll have to tackle include the in Tourist Areas”. cantons would be obliged to on exercises involving mili- expansion of the country’s transport infra- The fi scal reforms are an at- adopt this principle of part- tary aircraft over popular structure, higher education reform and tempt by the Federal Council taxation, but would be free to tourist areas, although the the integration of foreigners. and centre-right parliamen- set the rates themselves. The wording of the initiative Following its election victory, the SVP tary majority to lower the tax backers of the bill say that it leaves its precise scope open. has a right to claim a leading role. But de- burden on companies that are is designed mainly for the According to the Federal spite its success, it doesn’t have an abso- their own shareholders. At benefi t of small and medium- Council and Parliament, popu- present, such companies are sized companies (SMEs). lar approval of the referendum lute majority and remains “only” a 30-per- liable for tax both on all their However, left-wing parties would severely restrict the cent party. It will therefore only be able to corporate profi ts and on divi- and the Greens see it as an areas available to the Swiss exercise its leading role if it steers clear of dends. If the bill becomes law, unjustifi ed tax break for ma- Air Force for training purposes absolute demands and seeks compromises December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 shareholders who own at least jor shareholders, and have and make credible exercises likely to get majority support. If not, it 10 percent of a public limited successfully pushed for a pop- impossible. They therefore could well head straight into a stalemate.

SWISS REVIEW company will have to pay tax ular vote. reject the proposal. RL RENE LENZIN 16 OSA NEWS

Federal Elections 2007 André Reymond (SVP/GE) among the expatriates in the 14 percent in the relevant No seats for the and Carlo Sommaruga (SP/ election, and wasn’t on a cantons four years ago, GE). None of the expatriate Swiss abroad list, but the it was 15–19 percent this Swiss abroad CSA candidates – Ron Favar- offi cial list of the Geneva time round. ger, Peter Kaul, Rolf Schudel Greens. In second place, with Voter turnout among the The Swiss People’s Party and Edgar Studer (all stand- 2009 votes, was Julien Neir- Swiss abroad in the cantons (SVP) was the winner of ing for the SVP) – were ynck from France, who stood of Geneva (35%), Lucerne October’s general election in elected, nor were any other for the CVP in Vaud, fol- (39%), Vaud (33%) and Ap- terms of votes from the Swiss Swiss abroad candidates. lowed by fellow French-resi- penzell-Innerrhoden (10%) abroad, although its share of A total of 45 candidates dent Florian Rochat (EDU, was signifi cantly lower than the vote was much higher from the Fifth Switzerland VD), with 2000 votes. the cantonal average (47%, among the domestic elector- stood for election. None of Thirty-three of the candi- 53%, 44% and 21% respec- ate. In the cantons of Geneva, them made it into Parlia- dates stood on an SVP ticket. tively). Lucerne and Vaud, whose ment, primarily because of a The SVP’s popularity with Once again, complaints election statistics show the lack of support from their the Swiss abroad has risen were made about voting doc- number of votes by expatri- own parties. Raphael Thié- steadily ever since the intro- uments arriving too late, an ates, the SVP gained between mard from Belgium got the duction of postal voting in issue also pointed out by 5 and 5.4 percent more votes most votes (2251). He was 1992. Whereas its share of election monitors from the from the Swiss abroad than in the only Green candidate the votes was between 10 and OSCE. the last election in 2003. However the proportion of The results of Swiss abroad candidates (as at 23.10.2007): SVP votes from the Fifth Votes received Votes received SVP Swiss abroad list (Zurich): Switzerland remained below Peter Simon Kaul, Radebeul, Germany SVP ZH 915 Ch. Abächerli Larenas, Sangolqui, Ecuador SVP ZH 730 the cantonal average in all Inge Schütz, Stockholm, Sweden (DFA) SVP ZH 1300 Werner Furrer, Triesenberg, Liechtenstein SVP ZH 785 Mario Valli, Edenvale, South Africa SVP ZH 778 SVP Swiss abroad list (Schaffhausen): three cantons. The SP re- Urs C. Grassi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam SVP ZH 686 R. B. Schudel, Vico Morcote, Jo‘burg, RSA SVP SH 305 ceived the most Swiss abroad Karl Bachmann, Tranva, Croatia SVP ZH 1160 Edgar Studer, Berkshire, UK SVP SH 309 Ueli Maurer, Borgen, Norway SVP ZH 1165 SVP Swiss abroad list (Geneva): votes in Geneva and Vaud, Heinz Moll, Prague, Czech Republic SVP ZH 834 Andrée-Danielle Chevrier, Sciez, France SVP GE 1461 while the CVP came top in Markus Stöckli, Quito, Ecuador SVP ZH 857 Pierre Goldschmid, Brunoy, France SVP GE 1344 Lucerne. Martina Solmes, Battle Creek, USA SVP ZH 778 Jacques Schalk, Thono-les-Bains, France SVP GE 1356 Thomas Frank Daetwyler, Colombo SVP ZH 717 Ron Favarger, Toronto, Canada SVP GE 1489 With the exception of Jürg Neuhans, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia SVP ZH 728 Philippe Chollet, Abuja, Nigeria SVP GE 1353 Councillor of State Filippo Hubert Brumann, East London, South Africa SVP ZH 712 FDP Swiss abroad list (Zurich): Thomas Aeschi, Belmont, USA SVP ZH 769 H. Freiermuth, Gainesville, USA & Canada FDP ZH 1581 Lombardi (CVP/TI), who Hans-Peter Bieri, Cairo, Egypt (DFA) SVP ZH 761 Gil Schneider, Singapore FDP ZH 1191 faces a run-off vote, all sitting Rinaldo Bucher, Weston, USA SVP ZH 795 Hansueli Meili, Yogyakarta, Indonesia FDP ZH 1063 Bruno Kaspar, Vilnius, Lithuania SVP ZH 712 Urs Wäfl er, India FDP ZH 1015 CSA federal councillors were Walter Müller, Capetown, South Africa SVP ZH 807 FDP Swiss abroad list (Schaffhausen): re-elected on 21 October, Yvonne Ochsner, Whitehorse, Canada SVP ZH 891 Hans-Rudolf Gyr, Charlottesville, USA FDP SH 234 Norbert Ehrbar, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam SVP ZH 717 Sina Kaben, Munich, Germany FDP SH 263 namely National Councillors Nicolas Szita, London, UK SVP ZH 750 Individual candidates on domestic lists: Thérèse Meyer (CVP/FR), Heinz Keller, Huonville, Australia SVP ZH 803 Raphael Thiémard, Neufchâteau, Belgium Greens FR 2251 Hans-Rudolf Abächerli, Bolans, Antigua SVP ZH 708 Erich J. Grübel, Kekava, Latvia CVP BE 1986 Markus Hutter (FDP/ZH), Claude Abächerli, Boxborough, USA SVP ZH 698 Pascal Kalbermatten, Tokyo, Japan JCVP VS 1620 Hans Kaufmann (SVP/ZH), Herbert J. Abächerli, Caracas, Venezuela SVP ZH 687 Désirée Föry, Innsbruck, Austria JFDP SZ 261

Make new friends The OSA winter sports camps thing about the camps is the Winter sport week are extremely popular with the interpersonal contact between in Langwies/Arosa (GR) and fi nd out more Swiss abroad. They offer young people who share a common 23.2.–1.3.2008 about Switzerland people from around the world bond with Switzerland. You’ll A ski and snowboard camp for a chance to spend ten days living fi nd out all about the land of your young adults aged 18 and up at The Organisation of the Swiss and enjoying on- and off-piste fore fathers and can discuss your the renowned Arosa ski resort. Abroad offers young people activities with likeminded young- experiences and background. And the OSA has reserved a from around the globe a sters. The OSA’s trained ski and An exciting range of off-piste cosy, spacious lodge in Langw- whole host of opportunities snowboard instructors show par- activities make for a varied and ies. What better way is there to to visit Switzerland. New des- ticipants all the latest techniques entertaining stay. And of course discover a new area? tinations for winter sports and ensure that everyone has fun it wouldn’t be complete without camps are planned, host and progresses in their chosen a lavish camp party. So if you’d Easter sports camp families are ready to welcome sport. And it doesn’t matter if it’s like to spend an unforgettable in Fiesch (VS) December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 you, and there are plenty your fi rst time in the snow or you winter holiday in Switzerland, 22.3.–29.3.2008 of education offers for those have years of skiing or snowboar- come to one of the Swiss abroad Because Easter is so early this

SWISS REVIEW with a thirst for knowledge. ding experience. The exciting camps. year, you needn’t worry about 17

Airport on the fi rst day and NEWLY-FOUNDED SCHOOL IN QUERÉTARO OFFICIALLY OPENED the return journey on the last On 29 September, the third Swiss school in Mexico formally opened with a major celebration in Queré- taro. In the presence of Swiss Ambassador Urs Breiter and a representative of the local education author- day. ity, the school’s pupils enthralled some 300 assembled guests with songs and dancing from Mexico and Switzerland. Staff The Querétaro campus began operating on 21 August, and has 43 teachers covering all levels from An experienced multilingual pre-school to the end of 4th grade. It also forms an integral part of the Swiss School in Mexico, which team of camp leaders ensures previously consisted of the secondary school in Mexico City (684 pupils) and the Cuernavaca campus that everything runs smoothly (277 pupils), both of them mixed-sex. Classes from the schools in Mexico City and Cuernavaca also took and no-one gets bored at our part in the opening celebrations, proving that the three schools are elements of the same structure holiday camps. even though they lie about 300 kilometres apart. Querétaro is currently one of the most dynamic business locations in Mexico. The foundation of the Registration new Querétaro campus by the Swiss School in Mexico comes in reaction to demands by the local popula- Precise information on the tion for bicultural, multilingual education. various camps as well as application forms will be available at www.aso.ch (under “Youth”, “Discover Switzer- there being enough snow. In- Foundation for geographic backgrounds is an land”, “Holiday camps”) from stead you can enjoy the benefi ts unforgettable experience and January 2008 onwards. On of the ever-longer days to the Young Swiss Abroad: a great way to make many new request, we can also send you full. A winter sport camp for Summer camp 2008 friends. our information brochure young people aged between 14 by post. Registration ends on and 25 providing plenty of enter- Are you aged between 8 and Cost 15 March 2008. tainment. There’s fun on the pis- 14? Would you like to spend Attendance of the camps costs tes in the Aletsch region and a 14 days in Switzerland and CHF 900 per child. The Winter camp 2008 lodge in which you’ll never get get to know your home coun- Foundation for Young Swiss bored! try better? Then register for Abroad would like as many Please note: there are still one of the Foundation for Swiss expatriate children as a few places available for the Study trips: Young Swiss Abroad holiday possible to be given a chance winter camp in Flumserberg The OSA also enables you to camps! We run summer to spend at least one holiday (2–9 February 2008)! If you’re combine holidays with learning. camps in the most beautiful in Switzerland. For this rea- interested, please register soon! And we provide individual part of Switzerland every son, subsidies are available in For more information, con- assistance in fi nding out about year in July and August. certain circumstances. Appli- tact our staff in Berne, who the education establishments cation forms may be re- will be happy to help you: in Switzerland. Get a taste of Programme quested during registration. Switzer land’s most famous At our camps you’ll get to see Foundation for Young Swiss universities. Alternately, the local sights, explore lakes, Meeting point Abroad OSA can provide practical in- mountains, rivers and the sur- The participants always ren- Alpenstrasse 26 sight into your dream profession. rounding countryside, go on dezvous at Zurich Airport at CH-3006 Berne Relaxed host families look for- short hikes and maybe also lunchtime. Tel.: +41 31 356 6116 ward to your stay. visit nearby towns and cities. Parents are responsible for Fax: +41 31 356 6101 The OSA language courses There will also be days when organising and paying for the E-mail: [email protected] will take place in Berne and we simply stay at the camping outward journey to Zurich www.aso.ch Fribourg from 7.1. to 18.1.2008. lodge and play games or sports or take part in various work- Organisation of the Swiss shops. Abroad Aside from this, there are ORGANISATION OF THE SWISS ABROAD Youth Service plenty of opportunities to fi nd Our services: Tel.: +41 31 356 6100 out lots of interesting things ■ Legal Department E-mail: [email protected] about Switzerland. For in- ■ Youth Service www.aso.ch stance, we look at the Swiss ■ Association for the Promotion of Education for Young Swiss language, Swiss songs, Swiss Abroad (AJAS) recipes, and typical Swiss ■ Committee for Swiss Schools Abroad (CSSA) games and sports. ■ Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad (FYSA) December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 Living together and spend- ing time with people from OSA, Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, CH–3006 Berne,

SWISS REVIEW other linguistic, cultural and Phone +41 31 356 6100, Fax +41 31 356 6101, www.aso.ch 18 MICHELINE CALMY-REY, FEDERAL PRESIDENT 2007

National Day celebrations on the Rütli: the highpoint. At the Public opinion polls show that you are one end of her one-year tenure as the Swiss president, National of the most popular members of the government. What do you attribute this to? Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey says that chairing government Perhaps I receive a lot of recognition and meetings was her toughest task. By contrast, she describes the approval specifi cally because I don’t set out 1 August celebrations on the Rütli as a highpoint. And the to do well in the opinion polls. I don’t mince my words, I do what I consider to be right, outgoing president hopes the Swiss abroad will continue to get and I put all my effort into my work. involved in shaping the future of Switzerland. Interview by Heinz Eckert What are your most important aims and desires for the coming year? The foreign minister has “Swiss Review”: Have you fulfi lled your to defend Swiss interests aims as federal president? Were you able to abroad. My aim remains to engage with the general public as you wanted? do this as best I can. As a Micheline Calmy-Rey: The fi rst task of neutral country without any the federal president is to chair the meetings dreams of grandeur or alli- of the Federal Council and ensure the neces- ances to cater to, we enjoy a sary decisions are taken. My objective was to very credible reputation in- give each member of the government suffi - ternationally. But we are not cient leeway to express his or her opinions. I alone. We must be heard, took great pains and care to ensure this was seek cooperation with like- possible – successfully, I believe. The Federal minded peoples, and be ac- Council discusses matters very directly and tive. We mustn’t sit back in without pulling punches. But it also take de- the hope that the rest of the cisions. In addition, I treated the presidency world will always see us as a as an opportunity to enter into a direct rela- Micheline Calmy-Rey with National Council President Christine shining example, nor should tionship with the Swiss people. I took part in Egerszegi on the Rütli. we hide our light under a public debates throughout the country and bushel. found that people everywhere were inter- What conclusions do you draw from your year ested in such a dialogue. as federal president? In what areas should Switzerland get more Our system of direct democracy can only involved? What were the highlights of your presidency? function properly if citizens actively partic- In promoting peace because it is in keep- One highpoint was certainly the 1 August ipate in it and our Swiss political dialogues ing with our tradition as a neutral country. I celebrations on the Rütli, which fi nally took address all the issues at hand. My conclusion also think that we should increase our share place following a fair amount of traditional at the end of my year as federal president is of public development aid, where we lag be- Swiss toing and froing. I insisted that our Na- that this continues to be the case. We are cur- hind considerably. I say this not only for mor- tional Day be celebrated on the Rütli, one of rently facing a great challenge, namely to pre- alistic reasons: I believe that we have a duty our few national symbols, and I received serve our cohesion as a country of many cul- to assist people in need, in war-torn areas or much positive feedback on that from the tures confronted with the new rules of in poverty. It is also good for promoting our public. I’m pleased to note just how many globalisation. We can succeed if we remem- interests. Greater involvement in peacekeep- people in our country see the Rütli as more ber the principles that made Switzerland ing and tackling poverty would mean less in- than just any old fi eld. The other highlights strong in the past: respect for minorities, stability and fewer crises and therefore less of my presidency included the meetings with equality and the will to cooperate come what heartache for everyone, Switzerland in- the people. Chairing Federal Council meet- may. cluded: fewer refugees fl ooding into our ings was the toughest part. country and elsewhere and better opportu- Do you believe that your decision regarding nities for our companies. That is in Switzer- You also attended the Congress of the Swiss the 1 August celebrations on the Rütli will have land’s interests. Abroad in Geneva. What impression did that a lasting effect? leave you with? I hope that I have made people more aware Do you have any special requests of the Swiss My impression is that the Swiss abroad of the importance of our basic rights. The abroad? want to get involved in Swiss affairs, partic- right to congregate and freedom of speech I hope that our fellow citizens living abroad ularly through involvement in our demo- and expression are cornerstones of our de- recognise that an active, credible Switzerland cratic institutions. For the fi rst time ever, mocracy. We must work to preserve them, can also be in their interests. And I hope that December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 more than 100,000 of them took part in a even if it would sometimes be easier not to the Swiss abroad will continue to help shape general election. I appreciate this dedication, exercise such rights. Issues such as these must our country.

SWISS REVIEW Photo: Keystone which is by no means taken for granted. not be avoided. HIGHLIGHTS OF 2007 19

Swissair in the dock Flooding in August young people, 70% haven’t the affair. Two mountain Not guilty! Six years after Torrential rain on 7–10 August even completed vocational guides are charged with “mul- Swissair went bankrupt, the led to fl ooding, swollen rivers training. The EKKJ also tiple negligent homicide”. most spectacular commercial and landslides throughout noted rising debt levels among trial in Switzerland’s history Switzerland. Hundreds of young people. Stubbing out smoking fi nally took place in Bülach people had to be evacuated. A ban on smoking in public The towns of Alinghi sails to second victory places and at work, which has Delémont (JU) This summer, Ernesto been in force in Ticino since and Lyss (BE) Bertarelli’s Team Alinghi beat April and is due to be intro- were inundated, Team New Zealand to win duced in the canton of Solo- the Berne- the 32nd America’s Cup in thurn from 2009, looks like Fribourg and Valencia, Spain. It was a his- becoming law throughout the Neuchâtel-Bi- toric double following Aling- country in the next few years. enne railway hi’s win in New Zealand in The National Council agreed lines were left 2003. American rivals BMW to the ban in principle in Oc- underwater, Oracle have since sued Alinghi tober. while Lake over competition rules they (ZH) from January to June Bienne reached the record Land of 2007. The 19 defendants, in- level of 430.90 metres, a full immigration cluding several former execu- 47 centimetres above the Switzerland is tives of the airline, were danger mark. Initial estimates currently home cleared and received compen- put the cost of the damage to 1.542 million sation, as much as half a mil- at about CHF 500 million. foreigners lion Swiss francs in the case of The Swiss Meteorological (20.6% of the Mario Corti. Former employ- Offi ce said Switzerland had total popula- ees and creditors were furious as much rain over the three tion), of whom at the outcome, saying justice days as is usually recorded 933,000 are had not been done. Zurich’s during the entire month of from European public prosecutor appealed, August. say favour the Swiss. The legal Union and EFTA member but then withdrew the appeal wrangling could jeopardise states. The Freedom of in September. By contrast, the Record-breaker and living the next America’s Cup, due Movement Agreement with canton of Neuchâtel and the legend to take place in Valencia in the EU has also had an effect Belgian state are still pursuing Roger Federer smashed yet 2009. on the composition of the their appeals against the ac- more tennis records in 2007. foreign population: the quittal of Mario Corti, Swis- In February, after 161 weeks Lötschberg toasted number of EU nationals has sair’s last CEO. The supreme at the top of the ATP world Offi cially opened on 15 June risen by 3.2%. court of the canton of Zurich rankings, he beat the long- 2007 after eight years of drill- will now probably have to rule standing record of Jimmy ing through the Alps, the Swiss franc slides on the affair. Connors from 1974 to 1977. Lötschberg tunnel came into The Swiss franc continues to In winning his fi fth consecu- operation in September. lose ground against the euro. From Switzerland with love tive Wimbledon title, Federer Almost 200 trains a day now This year it reached an his- Marc Forster, Grisons’s most equalled Bjorn Borg’s record pass through it. The world’s toric low of CHF 1.6729 to famous export to Hollywood, (1976-80). And with 12 grand third-longest tunnel (34.6km) the euro. The Swiss currency will direct the 22nd James Bond slam titles to his name, the has cut about an hour off has fallen steadily in value ever fi lm. But will the 38-year-old Swiss tennis ace is now travel times between Berne since late 2001, when a euro director of “Finding Never- within two championships and the Valais. only cost CHF 1.45! land” (starring Johnny Depp) of Pete Sampras’s all-time shoot it in his home country? record. Drama on the Jungfrau Lavaux named UNESCO Film Location, a company that In July, six French-Swiss sol- Heritage Site promotes shooting locations in Young and poor diers lost their lives in an ava- Just like the prestigious wine- Switzerland, has suggested sev- According to a report by the lanche on the Jungfrau. The growing area of Saint Emilion eral to Forster, including Lu- Federal Commission for Child recruits, who were in their in France, the Lavaux region cerne. In June, the cinematog- and Youth Affairs (EKKJ), 17th week of military training, of Switzerland and its terraced rapher said the Alps would 45% of Switzerland’s welfare were apparently killed when vineyards have now been December 2007 / No. 6 / No. December 2007 make the perfect setting for a dependants are under 25, com- one of them slipped, dragging added to the UNESCO list of 007 movie. What luck! World pared with 1.5% for the over- the rest down with him. A mil- World Heritage Sites.

SWISS REVIEW Photos: Keystone premiere: 7 November 2008. 65s. Of these 100,000 poor itary tribunal is investigating ALAIN WEY