THE MAGAZINE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD

MARCH 2011 / NO. 2

Switzerland’s political system under scrutiny

Heinz Spoerli, ballet icon set to retire

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New prospects 5 olitical commentators and analysts believe that 2011 is set to be a momentous Mailbag election year for Switzerland, which may even result in far-reaching changes to the 5 Ppolitical system. The party landscape has changed enormously over the past four years. You can read about how this situation has arisen and who the new and main pro- Books: A book full of legends tagonists are from page 8 onwards. 7 The Swiss media all agree that Parliament and, even more so, the Federal Council Images: Munich retour. An exhibition at the have failed to make a good impression over recent years. Mistrust, animosity and antag- Museum of Fine Arts in Berne onism have dominated politics for long periods. Is this really the kind of government the 8 people have wanted? Of course not. This inevitably raises the question of whether the Switzerland in election year: problem lies with the present incumbents – would an infl ux of fresh faces make every- Solitary, pressured, successful thing better? Or do we perhaps need a new system? 12 Is the system of political concordance with all the major parties in government, which What do we worry about? has been in place since 1959, perhaps outdated? Does this system no longer meet the re- What can be done to allay our fears? quirements of modern times? That may well be the case. The issue is certain to be the subject of heated debate this year. In the past, political parties have on several occasions 14 threatened to leave the government and go into opposition, and the Social Democrats A living legend: Heinz Spoerli is set to step (SP) now suspect others of plotting to throw them out of government as well. down That would result in a system with a coalition government and an opposition – a sys- Regional news tem that is commonplace outside Switzerland. But is that desirable? The immediate re-

sponse would be “no”, as it would obstruct our unique, highly sophisticated system of di- rect democracy with its power of referenda for parties and interest groups, with 17 federalism and cantonal majority. Such an idea is bound to provoke fear and a defensive Notes from Parliament reaction. However, it is also evident that under a system of coalition government and op- 20 position it would be much clearer who bears responsibility for what. It would prevent Barely affordable: The mobility of the Swiss parties from participating in government while behaving like the 21 opposition – an approach successfully adopted by the Swiss Peo- Referendum: Weapons to remain at home ple’s Party (SVP) for many years. Realistically, the chances of a change of system at the grand fi - 22 nale to the election year – the complete re-election of the Federal I vote! Council on 14 December – are slim. This would require the middle- 24 ground parties, the FDP and CVP, to opt for the centre-right with OSA news the SVP or the centre-left with the SP. The FDP and CVP are un- 26 likely to risk making such a move as both lack strong leaders. Barbara Engel 100 years of the Jungfrau railway Incidentally, “direct democracy in an international context” 28 will be the main theme of the Congress of the Swiss Abroad in Lugano in August. Journey of adventure and eco-project And now to matters concerning our magazine. My predecessor, Heinz Eckert, an- nounced in the last edition of “Swiss Review” that I would be taking up the position of 30 Editor-in-Chief at the beginning of the year. To produce a good magazine, we, as the ed- A new travel magazine for afi cionados itorial staff, are reliant on interaction with our readers. We cannot always know at our 31 offi ces in Switzerland which issues matter to the Swiss abroad in Berlin, Ouagadougou, Echo Shanghai or New York. I therefore welcome your suggestions, feedback and criticism, and hope this results in a fruitful exchange. BARBARA ENGEL

Cover photo: The offi cial photograph of the new Federal Council. More on the photo and on the goals and policies of the Swiss government on pages 8 to 11 and 18 (Photo: donated)

IMPRINT: “Swiss Review”, the magazine for the Swiss abroad, is in its 38th year of publication and is published in German, French, Italian, English and Spanish in 14 regional editions. It has a total circulation of 395,000. Regional news appears four times a year. The ordering parties are fully responsible for the content of advertisements and promotional inserts. These contents do not necessarily represent the opinion of either the editorial offi ce or the publisher. ■ EDITORS: Barbara Engel (BE), Editor-in-Chief; Rolf Ribi (RR); René Lenzin (RL); Alain Wey (AW); Jean-François Lichtenstern (JFL), responsible for “Notes from Parliament”, Service for the Swiss Abroad, DFA, CH-3003 Berne Translation: CLS Communication AG ■ L AYOUT: Herzog Design, Zurich ■ POSTAL ADDRESS: Publisher, editorial offi ce, advertising: Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne, Tel.: +41313566110, Fax: +41313566101, Postal account (Swiss National Giro): 30-6768-9. Internet: www.revue.ch ■ E-MAIL: [email protected] ■ PRINT: Swissprinters St.Gallen AG, CH-9001 St.Gallen. ■ CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please advise your local embassy or consulate. Do not write to Berne. ■ All Swiss abroad who are regis- tered with a Swiss representation receive the magazine free of charge. Anyone else can subscribe to the magazine for an annual fee (Switzerland: CHF 30 / abroad: CHF 50). Subscribers are sent

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March the magazine direct from Berne. Copy deadline for this edition: 07.02.11 4 OBITUARY

Luginbühl›s “Pandora” in fl ames at the “Balls with wheel and chain” Albisgüetli in Zurich in 1998

Iron sculptor Bernhard and from then onwards al- produced a vast collection of ways worked as a freelance works, an impression of which Luginbühl has passed away artist. can be obtained at his sculpture He always enjoyed shocking people with His unmistakeable sculp- park in Mötschwil near Burg- both his words and his works. He gave his tures are gigantic works dorf. He also destroyed many of sculptures names like “Rage”, “Aggression” made from iron, waste his works over the years, often and “Atlas” and did not shy away from play- products of heavy industry. burning them in staged art ing the maladjusted fi ghter on the art scene. One art critic once called events. He once said of himself The iron sculptor Bernhard Luginbühl them a “farewell to the in- and his art: “I produce sculp- passed away on 19 February at the age of 82. dustrial age”. In his art, tures, write books, draw and all Luginbühl was born on 16 February 1929 in Luginbühl combined the that stuff. The worst thing for Berne. His father was a butcher, but Bern- constructive with the me is that I still get very bored.” hard decided at a young age not to take over dadaistic and surreal and, together with Dan- He can’t really have expected anyone to be- his father’s business and to become an artist iel Spoerri and Jean Tinguely, was part of the lieve him. BE instead. He did an apprenticeship as a sculp- Swiss avant-garde in the 1960s which at- tor at the School of Applied Arts in Berne tracted international attention. Luginbühl Sculpture park: www.luginbuehlstiftung.ch

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switzerland is full of legends – Open letter to THE MAGAZINE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD you only issue one mythical exploits, fantasti- Credit Suisse statement at year- cal creatures, talking animals, wizards, goddesses and curses.

JANUARY 2011 / NO. 1 Dear Sirs, end. I have since Every canton has its share. Some tell of their mythical founda- As you will be learned that these tion and others of the exploits of their heroes. The book able to confi rm, I measures were “Suisse: 26 cantons, 26 légendes” (Switzerland: 26 cantons, was the holder of a taken to ensure 26 legends) invites readers to explore the fantastical stories savings account, complete transpar- which, for some, remain important symbolically or for tourism which I have just Switzerland is dependent ency towards the on foreigners

Is the Federal Council in need closed for obvious of better organisation? countries where purposes. A commentary containing information on origin, Ice hockey: a passion that goes back 100 years reasons. This ac- your clients abroad meaning and historical context follows each story. count was opened in 1967 with are domiciled. What do you The book inevitably takes us to the canton of Uri to explore the “Leu Stäfa” bank by my think I am hiding from the William Tell. From Nidwalden, there’s Winkelried, the hero of employer at the time for the French tax authorities? The the Battle of Sempach (1386). It covers the dragons’ den at payment of my modest salary TWO FRANCS in interest Mont Pilate high above Lucerne, and goes on to the canton of when I was a 15-year-old ap- that I received? Legends from the cantons Zug with the Baron of Wildenburg and the droit de seigneur. prentice. It is disgraceful because who This account has served me is it thanks to that you won the We learn how, in the canton of Schwyz, the crows of the hermit through the ups and downs of award for best bank in 2010 Meinrad pursued his murderers until they were brought to justice. In life. You can imagine my hap- and the federal authorities con- Appenzell Ausserrhoden, the author goes on the trail of the wizard piness at receiving my fi rst sal- gratulated you for having re- Dovi, who saved the son and daughter of the King of Spain. In ary payment, seeing growth in paid your debts more quickly Grisons, we learn of the alpine meadow of the beautiful alpine god- my small savings at the end of than the other institutions? dess, Sontga Margriata. The book also features the Count of Gruyere the year, being able to with- I hope you don’t overlook the and Chalamala, his quick-witted, fl ute-playing jester, and visits the draw some money during my fact that you brought about the border between the cantons of Zurich and Zug where Catholics and visits to Switzerland later on crisis yourselves. And now you and knowing that the small have to undermine a sacred in- Protestants prepared to do battle with one another in 1529 and ate pension that I will receive stitution, the savings of small “Kappel milk soup” together as a symbol of compromise. from Switzerland would clients! I certainly do not con- Let’s take a closer look at two of these legends. The king of Berne shortly be paid into this ac- gratulate you. had a reputation as a bear hunter. A bear spared him from being de- count. I am leaving you because I do voured during a hunt. In the meantime, the Burgundians had in- You will also understand my not have enough francs to vaded his kingdom. Narrowly escaping from his adversaries, he was annoyance at being refused a cover this year’s fees but that is saved by the hermit Wilfried, who had taken care of the “king of the loan because I lived outside what you were hoping for in bears”, for which he was very grateful. The monarch implored the Switzerland, making potential any case, wasn’t it? bear to help him win back his kingdom. In return, he promised to recovery problematic, and my Oh, I almost forgot, as in all sadness at the death of those divorces, I am returning the ban bear hunting, to give him the forests and to engrave his image who were dear to me and the only gift you ever gave me, an on his coat of arms and fl ag. The king of the bears payment of a small part of the anti-drip collar, when you held and his army of fellow animals annihilated the in- inheritance. But what dis- my entire inheritance in 2004 vader and ever since the Bernese fl ag has con- tressed me most was opening (almost CHF 100,000). tained a black bear. In the canton of Obwalden, a your letter yesterday evening. G. FERAUD-FREI, FRANCE mountain lake served as a burial place for Pontius Your new charges are CHF 40 Pilate. After having condemned Jesus to crucifi x- per month, which is 8.7% a Not an elite island ion, the Roman governor of Judea was struck by a month or 104% a year on the I have lived in Munich for 35 balance at 31 December 2010 - years and therefore obviously curse. An indelible bloodstain in the form of a would it have been too expen- do not have such an objective cross appeared on his hand. His mood darkened, sive to have notifi ed your cli- perspective on the political is- he neglected the affairs of state and he died in prison. His body was ents more effectively and to sues as my compatriots who sent to the waters of the Tiber but a storm blew up. The corpse was have set a more reasonable read the Swiss press and can recovered but the curse continued. Pilate was fi nally thrown into the threshold of perhaps CHF speak from their own experi- pure waters of a lake in central Switzerland. As he was submerging, 1000 before incurring fees? ence. However, the reaction his arm suddenly appeared from the waves and his palm, turned to- What are the charges for on here in Germany to the ban on wards the sky, showed that the bloodstain had disappeared. an account like mine? I’ve got minarets and now to the expul- ALAIN WEY no chequebook, no credit card sion initiative has given me and no overdraft. The few food for thought despite the “Suisse: 26 cantons, 26 légendes” by Christian Vellas, transfers that I made were cov- fact that people I know in Éditions Slatkine, 2010; so far in French only. www.slatkine.com

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March ered by their own fees. And Switzerland have had ex- 6 MAILBAG

tremely bad experiences with Ignoramuses? received a letter from the ern world in general) at such a “foreigners” (for example, the In January’s “Swiss Review”, Zürcher Kantonalbank. They rapid pace that one ends up murder of a teacher in St. Gal- an appeal was made urging the are also demanding exorbitant feeling foreign in one’s own len). Swiss abroad to vote en masse fees. I have been a loyal cus- country. I nevertheless believe that in Switzerland. Like R.H. tomer of theirs since I was born D. SCHOCH, USA the majority of foreign nation- Tucker in Hawaii, I question and I am now being politely als living in Switzerland are how well founded this practice told that I am being classifi ed as Unrestrained greed very well integrated. Switzer- is and I would like to thank him a foreigner and generate huge All Swiss people should read land must therefore also think most sincerely for his letter on costs because I leave holiday Rolf Ribi’s excellent article on of its image in Europe and be- the vote for the Swiss abroad. money in Switzerland for my migration! As a Swiss person yond as it is particularly sus- He wrote: “How can people children who were born there. living abroad, I return to Swit- ceptible to criticism from who do not pay taxes in Swit- If I had 100,000 Swiss francs zerland for several months each abroad on account of its rela- zerland and do not know con- with the Zürcher Kantonal- year. I notice that people are tive isolation as a nation out- ditions fi rst-hand make really bank, they would of course living in increasingly confi ned side the European Union. informed decisions on what is manage my account free of spaces and are very concerned Switzerland is not an elite is- right and what is wrong for the charge. After all, who is respon- about the issue of overpopula- land, as I sometimes hear in country???” He is absolutely sible for creating the situation tion. The greed of the Swiss discussions with friends and right, particularly if these peo- we are in? Certainly not us, the unfortunately knows no family. This perception should ple have never even set foot in small customers. The authori- bounds. I would never want to not be enhanced through out- Switzerland. ties in the countries where we live in Switzerland perma- spoken opinion that even con- I read in the fl yer that came live are not chasing us. We have nently in the conditions that travenes international law! with the January 2011 edition got small amounts of savings, the Swiss have created. Y. AESCHBACH, GERMANY of “Swiss Review”: “We are but are not tax evaders and do I. K. DICKEY-SCHMID, USA fi rmly convinced that the Swiss not have illegal assets in Swit- Where is the logic? resident abroad have a major zerland. The management of Would our politicians please I read R. H. TUCKER’s let- role to play in national political our accounts would cost 7% per wake up! ter on voting rights for the debate. Strengthened by their year with an interest rate paid At least some criteria should Swiss living abroad with great international experience, they by the bank of 0.375%. We are have to be met before allowing interest. I left Switzerland 22 can contribute a different and withdrawing our money and immigration to Switzerland: an years ago without any intention fresh viewpoint from those of hopefully hundreds of thou- extract from the criminal of returning. This is why I have their fellow-citizens at home sands of small customers will do records authority, attested by not used my right to vote. on Swiss political issues. It is the same thing. the Swiss consulate, and, in the What do I know about life in therefore absolutely vital that S. STUDHALTER, CANADA case of non-European Mus- Switzerland? What right do I their voice be heard in Switzer- lims, immigration should only have to give my opinion on land.” Foreign in one’s own country be allowed with a special per- matters that no longer concern Does this mean that the I read Rolf Ribi’s article. It’s mit, otherwise we will end up me? I vote in my adopted Swiss at home are ignoramuses unfortunate that he seems to with a situation like in France, country, which seems logical who are dull-witted, shut off be fi xated on money and pros- Italy and Germany. Would our since I live, work and bring up from the outside world, incapa- perity only. Out-of-control im- politicians please wake up and my children here. ble of judgement and lacking in migration changes the culture take action. In my view, Swiss expatriates political experience? What of Switzerland (and the west- A. GUBELMANN, BRAZIL should be able to use their right Jacques-Simon Eggly, Presi- to vote for a short period – no dent of the Organisation of the longer than a few years – if Swiss Abroad, suggests shows a they are working abroad, for lack of respect towards Swiss Leave a lasting legacy behind example, but people like myself people. I am fl abbergasted and Do something for our compatriots who are detached from what is outraged. abroad going on in Switzerland should N. HERING, FRANCE not be able to take part in ref- A legacy or bequest allows you to leave instructions on the disposal erenda or elections. Why Classifying the Swiss abroad of your money, real estate or property*. A bequest to the OSA is an should foreigners who have as foreigners enduring reminder of your solidarity with our compatriots abroad. lived in Switzerland for many I read with great interest the The Organisation for the Swiss Abroad uses all such funds to assist years not have their say while readers’ letters on CS who are Swiss Abroad in accordance with the testator’s instructions. Swiss people living in Tim- demanding a disproportion- *To do this you need to draw up a will. The OSA offers an informative, easy-to-understand brochure on how to draw up a will: Contact the OSA Legal Service, "Rechtsdienst der ASO", buktu for 30 years can still ately high fee from us Swiss Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne or e-mail [email protected] vote? I don’t understand the abroad for the management of Help us to help you!

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March logic. C. ZITOUN, ISRAEL our accounts. We have now also IMAGES 7

Munich retour. How do you defi ne national, Swiss art? Is it the works of artists born in a Swiss canton? But what if the artist rose to fame outside his or her homeland? Can a particular kind of Swissness be identifi ed if you look back over seven centuries? These are all questions that the Director of Munich’s “Kunst- halle” art museum asked herself when putting together an exhibition of the high- lights of seven centuries of Swiss art entitled “Giacometti, Hodler, Klee”. Under the title “Munich retour”, this exhibition can now also be seen at the Museum of Fine Arts in Berne (until 26 June) and at the “Nasjonalmuseet for kunst, arkitektur og design” in Oslo from 29 September 2011 until 8 January 2012. BE

Caspar Wolf Alexandre Calame Paul Klee (1735 –1783) (1810–1864) (1879–1940) Schneebrücke und Regenbogen im Le grand Eiger, 1844 Sirene zwei mit der Altstimme, 1939 Gadmental, circa 1778

Johannes Itten Félix Vallotton (1888–1967) (1865–1925) Komposition in Blau, 1918 Der Deich von Honfl eur bei Sonnenuntergang, 1915

In the mid-18th century, Switzerland became a popular Paul Klee – his “Sirene mit der Altstimme” (Siren in Alto) And fi nally we have the avant-garde artist Félix Vallotton, travel destination and the image of the alpine idyll was is pictured – is extremely popular today, thanks in part a contemporary of Ferdinand Hodler. His “Deich von fostered intensely. Caspar Wolf’s “Schneebrücke und Re- to the Paul Klee Centre in his home city of Berne. “Kom- Honfl eur bei Sonnenuntergang” (Dike at Honfl eur at genbogen im Gadmental” (Snowbridge and Rainbow in position in Blau” (Composition in Blue) is one of Johan- Sunset) is a fi ne example of his conceptual representa- the Gadmental) and Alexandre Calame’s “Le Grand Eiger” nes Itten’s most famous works. Itten was one of the main tion of nature.

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Museum of FinePictures: Arts in Berne (The Grand Eiger) are two famous works from this period. exponents of the Weimar Bauhaus, where he also taught. 8 SWITZERLAND’S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

Switzerland in 2011 – solitary, divided, successful, pressured and envied Switzerland is shifting to the right politically. There is fresh demand for a return to self-rule, and enthusiasm for a more open approach is on the wane. However, Switzerland’s success shows that its position as an autonomous special case has many benefi ts. We assess the political landscape at the start of election year 2011. By Niklaus Ramseyer

The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is becom- eral Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, of the vote with the small Christian conserv- ing more and more powerful on the far right. which broke away from the SVP in 2008, ative parties. The Green Liberals won 1.4 % – The Greens and the Social Democrats (SP) polled just 2.6 % of the vote. In contrast, the and three seats on the National Council. are losing ground on the left, while the Chris- Green Liberals (GLP) climbed to 5.2 %, The 2007 election year ended in Decem- tian Democrats (CVP) are also on the slide. while the CVP slumped to 12.9 %. ber with a dramatic turn of events in federal In the centre, the Green Liberals are making With an error rate of 2.2 %, most of these politics. The Zurich SVP Federal Council- their policies increasingly broad. These are shifts are to be regarded as trends. Never- lor, Christoph Blocher, was surprisingly de- the results of the fi rst 2011 election year poll theless, the Bernese political researchers selected after four years as a member of on the Swiss party landscape in January. Ac- concluded: “Compared to the poll con- national government and Eveline Widmer- cording to the study conducted by the GfS ducted in autumn 2010, there has been a sig- Schlumpf, the SVP cantonal councillor Institute in Berne, the right-wing SVP has nifi cant swing to the right.” for Grisons, was narrowly elected to the Fed- increased its share of the vote to an historic This is also the case compared to the last eral Council. This episode led to heated de- record level of 29.8 %. On the left, the SP’s election results in 2007 when the SVP won an bate and in-fi ghting. The SVP expelled support has fallen to 18 % and that for the historic 28.9 % of the vote. The SP vote dwin- Widmer-Schlumpf and the entire Grisons Greens to 8.8 %. In the centre, the Free dled to 19.5 %, while the Greens took almost section from the party. This resulted in the Democrats’ (FDP) share of the vote has re- 10%. Between these two ends of the spectrum, foundation of the new Conservative Demo- mained steady at 17.7 %. The new Conserv- each with just under 30 %, the CVP (14.5 %) cratic Party (BDP) in Grisons, Glarus and ative Democratic Party (BDP), led by Fed- and FDP (17.7 %) shared the remaining 40 % Berne. SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Illustration: Peter Gut 9

Green Liberals fi ll the void in the centre stainers, representing 50 % of the electorate the EU on the other. With the surprising The conservative middle ground is now in Switzerland, rather than attracting voters adoption of its initiatives against minarets occupied by two large and four small parties, from other parties. and in favour of the automatic expulsion of which together hold 42 % of the vote. Along- foreign criminals, the party has been able to side the following two parties represented SVP ahead in terms of funding and issues attract majority support for its policies since on the Federal Council – the FDP (17.7 % Three key factors are of major importance the last election. By putting forward the sim- and two Federal Councillors) and the CVP for electoral success: issues, fi gureheads and ple proposition “Don’t want to join the EU? (12.9 % and one Federal Councillor) – there funding. The SVP is only weak in one area; Then vote SVP”, it is attempting to put all are also the political Protestants in the form it has very few high-profi le fi gures. However, the other parties on the back foot. of the Evangelical People’s Party (EVP) and the SVP is well ahead of its competitors in This approach has also proved successful the far-right Federal Democratic Union the other two areas, particularly funding, vis-à-vis the second largest party, the SP, (EDU). where there is still no transparency. Esti- whose base support reacts extremely sensi- The Green Liberals (GLP) have gained mates indicate that the party, which tively to both SVP issues, according to sur- enormous ground in this contest, now hold- counts millionaires and billionaires, such as veys. At the end of last year, the Social Dem- ing over 5 %, according to the poll. A gap in Christoph Blocher and Walter Frey, among ocrats announced a new, left-wing manifesto. the market has opened up, and environmen- its members, will easily invest between CHF The SP is now “once again a recognisable is- tally aware citizens now have a political rep- 15 and CHF 20 million in the 2011 electoral sues party for social and economic affairs”, resentative. The GLP wants to continue with campaign. That is ten times more than the confi rm the researchers from the GfS Insti- deregulation and the liberal market economy. Social Democrats, who have a budget of tute. It could counter the swing to the right, However, it wishes to put a stop to unfair around CHF 1.5 million. The SVP’s budget but in order to do so the party will have to competition at the expense of nature, which is also much higher than that of its conserv- mobilise potential left-wing voters in the au- is unable to defend itself. It also favours ative rivals, as the CVP and FDP each have tumn who have not voted previously. greater selective state intervention to achieve a war chest of CHF 2 to 3 million. However, the SP’s virtually uncritical ac- this, and its policies are proving popular. In its constant election campaigning, the ceptance of the EU and its renewed more SVP is handling two popular issues more as- forceful call for Switzerland’s rapid accession BDP makes no headway tutely than its competition: immigration, are annoying large swathes of the working The BDP fi nds itself in a very different po- foreigners, asylum and refugees on the one classes on lower incomes who have tradition- sition. With less than 3 % support, it no hand, and Switzerland’s relationship with ally supported the SP. A proposal from the longer has a share required for one of the seven Federal Council seats under the con- cordance system. When national govern- ment is completely re-elected in December, “EWS”, as Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf is now known in Berne, is unlikely to be returned to offi ce, despite general appreciation for her performance. With almost a third of the vote, the SVP has long been entitled to two seats on the Federal Council. In addition to the one currently held by Ueli Maurer, it should take back its second seat from Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf. The party of Christoph Blocher, who may once again stand for the National Council in autumn on the Zurich SVP list, has clearly weathered the storm after the breakaway of the BDP. It now has almost the complete backing of voters on the right of the political spectrum. The SVP is winning the support of previous non-voters among the large number of ab- SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Illustration: Peter Gut 10 SWITZERLAND’S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

young socialists (Juso) to at least draw up re- ent on 28 November. Despite good interim solve any issues in relation to the increasingly quirements concerning direct democracy or poll results, the SP initiative was rejected totalitarian tendencies of religions, but it social standards in the EU before a new acces- with just 42 % in favour. In contrast, the SVP nevertheless received majority support. The sion debate has proven unsuccessful. The par- celebrated an overwhelming victory, which expulsion initiative, which now has to be le- ty’s call to “overcome capitalism” has been meant that the SP lost on two fronts. gally “repaired” following its approval, is widely quoted despite being nothing new. The SVP’s conservative rivals in the centre very similar. This stance also contrasts starkly with EU pol- are not faring much better at the moment. On the left, the opponents of the army fo- icy, which remains fully focused on the free- Blocher’s well-organised party is sweeping the cused on an equally marginal issue that dom of capital and economic liberalism. FDP and CVP aside with popular and popu- could be exploited in the run-up to the elec- The Swiss trade unions now believe that list issues. Both these parties are constantly tions, with its weapons initiative. This ref- the EU is fostering a new, Europe-wide pro- fl uctuating between differentiating them- erendum also targeted the most emotive as- letariat of underpaid migrant workers under selves from the strong right-wing party and pect of an issue – the weapons of the militia its mantra of “free movement of persons”. taking up its positions, such as on immigration army, which make up less than 10% of small The federation of trade unions and Unia, policy. The FDP is now trying to score points weapons in Switzerland. Such moves are Switzerland’s largest union with around with an “anti-bureaucracy” initiative. The one of the reasons why referenda are 200,000 members, warned at the start of CVP has announced a “families” initiative, not generally held in the last six months be- February that “the European Court of Jus- which has not yet been clearly defi ned. fore an election. This year is no exception, tice would rule against protecting employ- with no more referenda planned before ees”. To the benefi t of employers, EU law- Pseudo issues are driving the election 23 October. yers overturned the principle that “Swiss For some time now, more and more refer- However, most referenda do concern im- wages have to be paid in Switzerland”. enda have been launched on marginal issues, portant issues. Taking part in elections in As regards security policy, the SP leader- which are populist, emotive and easy to sell. Switzerland’s highly developed, direct de- ship had for many years also advocated the The SVP has also excelled here. The parties mocracy is just one opportunity for political opening-up of the country and cross-border have been scheduling such initiatives as care- co-determination: referenda at communal, military cooperation. The party wanted to fully as possible with a view to the elections. cantonal and federal level seem far more im- move away from neutrality and national de- They serve to stimulate debate, mobilise their portant to many voters. One recently pub- fence in favour of a small, professional army. base support and profi le their candidates. lished survey shows that a large portion of But the party conference in Lausanne put an The minaret initiative is a striking exam- the electorate almost never votes in elections, abrupt stop to these sandtable exercises by ple. It deliberately focused on the sacred but takes part in referenda at every oppor- left-wing offi ce generals last autumn. The buildings of just one religion. It did not re- tunity. party base unceremoniously voted to aban- don this kind of army by a clear majority. Po- litical commentators generally believe that international cooperation initiatives are no longer attractive in Switzerland.

Reaction to SVP instead of own initiatives The euphoria about a policy of openness, a principle of the left for decades, has waned everywhere. This is also refl ected in immigra- tion policy, which according to polls is cur- rently regarded as the “most pressing issue” by the entire population, including the SP base (see interview on page 12). Last autumn, the party became embroiled in endless rows over the SVP expulsion initiative and the FDP counterproposal. Its own simultaneous referendum proposal for greater fairness in taxation would actually have been much more important, but was almost overlooked amid the rows. The upshot of this became appar-

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Illustration: Peter Gut “We are the people!!” 11

Politics on the defensive agreement. The politicians then did little to aged and threatened the most important part Forty years since the introduction of the counter the much-talked-about cluster risks of the economy where SMEs work accord- right to vote for women, female critics in caused by poorly regulated speculative banks. ing to the principle of “from the region for Switzerland believe that the National Coun- Direct democracy was left out of all this. the region”. The Bernese researchers con- cil, which will be re-elected on 23 October, Such machinations caused a feeling of fi rm: “Switzerland has been relatively suc- is very selective in its representation of the powerlessness among the people. Switzer- cessful in overcoming the consequences of Swiss people. For example, with 104 votes land has nevertheless come through the cri- the global fi nancial market crisis, at least out of 200, the minority group of entrepre- sis surprisingly well in comparison with other more so than many other countries.” neurs is massively overrepresented in the countries. Despite a dangerously strong And more so than the EU is the opinion of people’s chamber – especially the manage- Swiss franc, the Swiss export industry more and more Swiss, including the better ment levels of large companies with 88 board achieved 7 % growth last year. And while educated and those in higher income brack- members (often representing manifold in- countless other countries – including the ets. The fi rst offi cial election poll this year terests) on the National Council. Women USA, the superpower that is still feared mil- concludes: “It is evident that Switzerland is are still very much in the minority on both itarily – are perilously close to bankruptcy, extremely polarised ideologically by identity councils. This is having a discouraging effect: Switzerland is posting net profi ts running issues, with nationalist conservative ideas, “In particular, younger women seem to have into billions. and to an extent also nationalist liberal ones, very little interest in politics today”, the re- imposing themselves.” searchers were disappointed to note. Autonomy more important once again This is putting the conservative middle- In general terms, politics has gone on the Most Swiss people are becoming more and ground parties on the defensive. The FDP defensive in Switzerland in recent years, more convinced that national self-rule, long and CVP are now clearly distancing them- most notably with regard to the economy. criticised as “going it alone” and “Blocher’s selves from, or attempting to conceal, their This was particularly evident during the policy of isolation”, has major benefi ts de- previous commitment to rapid EU accession banking crisis when the Federal Council pro- spite all the problems. Political commenta- or an intensifi cation of the NATO partner- vided almost CHF 70 billion to save UBS in tors are saying: “Great confi dence has ship. Both hope that these kinds of minority a surprise move. It was later explained to the emerged in Switzerland’s ability to stand its foreign policy issues do not become major astonished public that the position the ma- own ground.” election issues. However, the SVP is playing jor bank was in jeopardised the entire nation. This trend is enhanced by the knowledge the EU card mercilessly in the new climate, Parliament had no option but to approve the that the perilous crisis, which has been stead- which is characterised by renewed pride in proposal. The Federal Council bowed down ily overcome, was imported by major glo- comparatively successful Switzerland. In the to the US government and signed an illegal balised banks and that to begin with it dam- canton of Berne, the SVP candidate for the Council of States went into battle with the catchy slogan “Don’t want the EU? Then vote for me”. After in-depth studies, political scientists conclude: “The mood in Switzerland is di- vided between contrasting values of national autonomy and international integration.” This is nothing new for SVP strategists; they have long been reducing the complex fi nd- ings of academics to a simple battle cry: “The Swiss vote SVP”. The reaction of the other parties from left to centre-right has ranged from anxiety to anger. They are well aware that they are be- ing attacked on a front that they have long since abandoned and left to populist SVP politicians: this is the right mindset in this sophisticated, direct democracy with its mul- ticultural society that largely coexists har- moniously in this country at the centre of Europe that calls itself “Switzerland”. SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Illustration: Peter Gut 12 WHAT WORRIES THE SWISS

“Most people see themselves as losers”. Each year, political scientists are commissioned by Credit Suisse to identify which issues and developments cause the most concern to Swiss people. This survey is known as the “Worry Barometer”. Unemployment, the welfare institutions and healthcare were right at the top of the list of worries last year. Concerns among people in Switzerland about their personal security, the immigration issue and the rela- tionship with the European Union have increased. David Bosshart, head of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, analyses the fears of the Swiss people in an interview with Barbara Engel.

“SWISS REVIEW”: Unemployment is top of balised world is undergoing dramatic change. plex. Owing to federalism and direct democ- the list of worries for Swiss people. 10% more Demography, in other words economic and racy, people in Switzerland also feel respon- than last year said that unemployment was social population changes, is our destiny. We sible for what goes on in politics. From this their main concern, despite the fact that unem- all established and expanded great social wel- perspective, we do have the politicians we ployment continued to fall in 2010 and rela- fare institutions at a time when a lot of young deserve. tively few people are actually affected by it people fi nancially supported far fewer eld- personally. Why is there so much fear about erly people. This situation is now changing The immigration issue, or more precisely the unemployment? constantly. Immigration eases the burden to integration of foreign nationals and the free DR DAVID BOSSHART: Work is a more im- an extent but also increases the complexity movement of persons (position 5), as well as the portant facet of people’s lives than ever be- of society enormously because other people relationship with the EU (position 7) have fore. This is why we’ve coined the term also bring different values with them. And moved up the list of worries. Does the fear of workstyle, as people now organise their lives this, in turn, also increases costs. losing national identity play a role here? and plan their time around their job or jobs. Yes and no. Small states can usually deal with Workstyle is today more important than life- Do politicians show too little interest in possi- migration better than large ones. The USA, style. The economic uncertainty and con- ble fears about decreasing solidarity in our so- Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK stant fl ow of contradictory information are ciety? Or are such fears in fact deliberately have much bigger problems than Switzer- unsettling, and the media like to dramatise stoked up? land. Most people see themselves as losers developments. What really matters is how There is a trend towards more populism and believe that globalisation and migration people feel. If they think they are going to throughout the western world. From the US are taking away their jobs, reducing their lose their jobs tomorrow, even though ob- with its Tea Party movement to countries quality of life and threatening their identity. jectively there is no reason for concern, then such as Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Indeed, identity, belonging and responsibil- they will also behave as though they are go- Switzerland, we are seeing the same thing. It ity constitute major challenges for a country. ing to lose their jobs tomorrow. is becoming increasingly diffi cult to fi nd ma- Switzerland needs a strong basic consensus – jorities, which is dangerous. Liberal democ- without this we will become a segmented so- Does this great worry about unemployment in- racy is still the best of a bad bunch of politi- ciety of special interest groups. dicate that the Swiss primarily defi ne them- cal systems, but politicians need voters and selves through their work? the media needs subscribers and readers and Does this basic consensus still exist today? It would be good if that were the case as peo- so they all overdramatise events. Everything I suspect that it does, but it would take a se- ple are active beings and productive work is that is emotive is emotionalised. rious crisis or a great deal of suffering for it one of the most important things in life – to become evident again in our highly pros- these days more than ever because retire- Rows in the Federal Council and deadlock in perous world. ment is quite rightly being postponed and Parliament were constant media topics last year, will become more and more fl exible. but the conduct of the authorities and politicians You say that most people see themselves as los- is still not among the major concerns of the Swiss ers in the globalised world. Will this outlook Concerns about the welfare institutions and people. Is there a sense of basic trust or perhaps and the fears inevitably associated with it in- healthcare rank immediately behind unemploy- confi dence in self-regulation? creasingly become a hindrance or burden to ment. Does this mean that the Swiss believe our We have to ask what we are drawing compar- Switzerland? social order and our social solidarity – one of the isons with. I fi rmly believe that we can still The success and failure of nations will, in fu- cornerstones of Swiss society – are in jeopardy? essentially take great pride in our political ture, be measured by how the middle classes A lot of subconscious fears are revealed here system. However, the challenges that have fare. However, you have to bear in mind that

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March because people feel that the increasingly glo- to be overcome today are much more com- middle class is not primarily defi ned by in- 13

Again, you have to ask who we are compar- ing ourselves with. We are obviously an is- land of privileged people and I can’t really see which of the emerging global economic and political constellations we could belong to. We are not part of BRIC – Brazil, Rus- sia, India and China; we do not belong to PIGS – Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain; we are not a member of the EU; and we are not an “olive republic”, the name given to the attractive tourist destinations of southern Europe, stretching from Bulgaria to Greece and all the way to Spain and Por- tugal. We are a stand-alone nation. Another consideration is that the more global the world becomes, the more interest people take in matters close to home. Who is my neighbour? This explains the emphasis on domestic issues among people’s concerns.

In France, the book “Indignez-vous” (Cry Out!) by Stéphane Hessel has sold 900,000 cop- ies within a very short space of time. 93-year- DAVID BOSSHART AND THE GDI old Hessel, a veteran of the Résistance and a Dr David Bosshart (52) stud- Holocaust survivor, rails against inequality, ied philosophy and political fi nancial capital and xenophobia in his book theory at the University of Zurich and has been head of and launches an impassioned appeal for people the Gottlieb Duttweiler Insti- to stand up for the basic universal rights set tute (GDI) in Rüschlikon, near Zurich, since 1999. The out in the UN Charter on Human Rights and GDI is an independent Euro- to react with outrage at their constant in- pean think-tank for eco- nomic and socio-political is- fringement. Could we do with a similar pam- sues. It was established by phlet in Switzerland? the founder of Migros, Gott- Outrage doesn’t really help. I prefer to focus lieb Duttweiler, in 1962. Dutt weiler’s principle of “fo- on putting forward arguments and highlight- cusing on people rather than ing contradictions. We must avoid too much capital” continues to shape the institute’s approach to populism and scaremongering. And, above lecturing and research. all, we must ensure that we do not become a segmented Switzerland where special inter- est groups make majorities impossible.

come, but the hope of a better life. If people successful if the economy and politics are Do you believe a culture of outrage against the stop hoping and instead just respond with both strong is once again widely held. The infringement of basic rights, which Hessel calls cynicism and aggression, then we have all lost. Chinese impressively demonstrate that the for in his book, could be fostered in Switzer- Mental strength and the belief that things can market is an instrument of the state and not land? be improved are key. And, in my view, Swit- an ideology, as in the West. Parag Khanna, We are not France. We have never held am- zerland is still well placed in this respect. an expert in geopolitics from the USA, who bitions of being a major power. France is un- will give a presentation at the Gottlieb Dut- fortunately is a state of rapid decline, and it The main concerns that Swiss people have also tweiler Institute’s Trend Conference in seems unaware of this. “La Grande Nation” reveal that economic considerations are a top March, says that we are currently experienc- is becoming a “Nation Moyenne”, an aver- priority. Has the economy overtaken politics in ing both an institutional and a geographical age nation. terms of importance? shift of power at the same time. This was, in fact, the case in the period of great illusion from 1990 to around 2008. The The concerns of Swiss people revolve mainly euphoria surrounding seemingly boundless around domestic issues; global problems are not global growth thanks to the manipulation of viewed as priorities. It would appear that the key fi nancial indicators has now given way to Swiss still see themselves as an insular nation

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: GDI disenchantment. The view that we are only and a special case. Is this so? 14 HEINZ SPOERLI – BALLET DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER AND CREATOR OF DANCE

The greatest fi gure in Swiss dance Basel, Düsseldorf, Zurich Heinz Spoerli has been a leading choreographer for decades and Spoerli remained with the “Theater Basel” for 17 years and made “his” Basel ballet one has had a major infl uence on ballet far beyond Swiss borders. of the leading classical dance companies in He is entering his last season as Director and Chief Choreographer Europe. Spoerli quickly gained himself an in- at the Zurich Ballet, but will remain the fi gurehead of dance in ternational reputation as an outstanding choreographer for full-length narrative bal- Switzerland. By Heinz Eckert lets, such as “La belle vie”, and stylish new in- terpretations of classical works, such as “La fi lle mal gardée”, “Giselle”, “Coppelia”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “The Nutcracker” and Nobody would think that Heinz Spoerli was to the music of Eric Gaudibert at the Grand “Swan Lake”, which enjoyed international 71. He is bursting with ideas, is agile and cre- Théâtre in Geneva. The ballet was even re- success, even in New York, the epicentre of ative and continues to work hard in the bal- corded by Swiss television. On the back of ballet at the time. let studio every day to ensure the Zurich Bal- this success, Werner Düggelin, the Director Heinz Spoerli was the Director of Ballet let remains among the most highly regarded of the Basel theatre at the time, appointed at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düssel- ballet companies in Europe. Spoerli has been him as Chief Choreographer and Ballet dorf from 1991 to 1996. He produced some in charge of the Zurich ensemble since 1996. Director at the largest theatre in Switzerland of his major ballets during this period. These In this period, he has interpreted many ab- with three sections – theatre, opera and include his “Goldberg Variations” to the mu- stract ballets as well as the classics, such as ballet. sic of Bach, a masterpiece of lucid, abstract “Swan Lake” and “Peer Gynt”. Guest per- dance. formances have taken the Zurich Ballet un- In 1996, he moved to Zurich and quickly der Spoerli’s management to turned the Opera House’s ballet Amsterdam, Barcelona, Edin- company into a top-class ensem- burgh, Cairo, London, Lyon, ble. In Zurich, Heinz Spoerli Paris, Tel Aviv, Warsaw, Ma- consolidated his reputation as drid, Frankfurt, Bangkok, Hong one of the most important cho- Kong, Moscow, Cape Town, Jo- reographers of our time unfazed hannesburg, Shanghai, Singa- by trends. To highlight his artis- pore, Osaka, Tokyo and Taipei. tic independence, Spoerli has re- And the dancers and their cho- ferred to himself as a “Tanz- reographer from Switzerland macher”, or creator of dance, for have received exuberant praise the last ten years. “As a creator wherever they have gone. of dance, I can work across a Basel-born Spoerli did his wide spectrum of styles and am dance training – against the will not tied to any one in particular, of his parents – initially with like other choreographers. This Walter Kleiber in his home city allows me to keep all my options before going on to continue his open”, says Spoerli of the change education in London and New to his job title. “There used to be York. The young Spoerli was two movements in dance – mod- given his fi rst job by Wazlav Or- ern with Martha Graham and likowsky at the municipal thea- Heinz Spoerli during a rehearsal at the Zurich Opera House classical with George Balanch- tre in Basel in the ballet com- ine, Marius Petipa and the old pany that he would later take to HEINZ SPOERLI international springboard for Russian school. Everything has the very top of classical dance. Spoerli, born in 1940, also young dancers and was Artis- changed since the 1960s. Dance However, from 1963 to 1973 serves the ballet world out- tic Director at the Swiss Ballet has become increasingly diverse Spoerli left Basel, going fi rst to side the studio. He founded School. Spoerli has won many and much broader, which is a Todd Bolender in Cologne, then the Heinz Spoerli Foundation, awards for his work, including good thing”, explains Spoerli. on to the Royal Winnipeg Bal- which seeks to make a contri- the Hans Reinhart Ring, the The fact that classical dance is let and the Grands Ballets Ca- bution to maintaining the art City of Basel Art Prize, the still very much alive is under- nadiens in Montreal and fi nally of dance and fostering public Jacob Burckhardt Prize, the lined by the success of the Zu- the Grand Théâtre in Geneva. interest in dance. It also regu- Zurich Art Prize, the German rich Ballet: “What other form of Heinz Spoerli fi rst worked as a larly awards prizes to out- Dance Prize and the German dance can fi ll a 1000-seat thea- choreographer whilst still danc- standing dancers and chore- Critics’ Prize. tre for 50 performances a year?” ing. He achieved his break- ographers. He also founded asks Spoerli with a mischievous

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: Peter Schnetz through in 1972 with “Le chemin” the Zurich Junior Ballet as an laugh. 15

When Alexander Pereira, the Director of Opera in Zurich, takes up his new position as head of the Salzburg Festival in 2012, Spoerli will also place the management of the Zurich Ballet in younger hands. “At my age, it is time to go”, says Spoerli. His successor is the 40-year-old German, Christian Spuck, currently resident choreographer of the Stuttgart Ballet. Spoerli will not be an easy act to follow.

Dance perfection Spoerli possesses enormous creativity and is an absolute perfectionist. He says: “My dancers are almost all soloists who have to be able to do everything. I demand absolute perfection from them. There is no room for mediocrity in top dance. And with ticket A perennial favourite in the repertoire – Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky dusted off and danced to perfection prices as high as they are in Zurich, the au- dience is entitled to an outstanding per- formance.” With new ballets, Spoerli always takes his inspiration from stories or music. “In the case of the former, I look for music to go with the story and, for the latter, I devise steps to the music. I listen to a lot of music, even for hours on end when I’m looking for something in particular”, he explains. When the auditions begin for a new ballet, he does not have any clear notion of how the dance should be performed: “I know how the plot has to develop and who has to dance which roles, but I always work out the steps with the dancers.” This makes the work more cre- ative and interesting for everyone and often, by the end, he no longer knows which ideas have come from him and which from the dancers. However, there is one thing Spoerli In 2009, Spoerli created the ballet “Wäre heute morgen und gestern jetzt” to the music of Bach has no doubts about: “The key success fac- tor is always the quality of the dancers. If poor choreography is at least danced well, the evening can still be a success.” Heinz Spoerli’s artistic work is character- ised not just by his style and sense of aes- thetics, but also by his creative ability to keep on renewing himself as an artist. The older he gets, the more relaxed and radical his approach to dance becomes. This will not change after he steps down as Director of Ballet in Zurich. He will continue to work at major opera houses as a guest cho- reographer. There are already offers on the table. Shanghai is also trying to entice him to train talented young dancers. So, Spoerli will not be lost to the international dance scene after the 2011/2012 season, his last in

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photos: Peter Schnetz Zurich. A timeless classic: the Zurich version of Stravinsky’s Sacre du Printemps ORGANISATION OF THE SWISS ABROAD

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Federal Council approves 2010 The reconciliation of national autonomy and the need to cooper- Foreign Policy Report ate with other states is, according to the report, one of the key chal- lenges that our foreign policy must address. The Federal Council At its session on 10 December 2010, the Federal Council approved believes that it is possible to uphold national sovereignty while ex- the 2010 Foreign Policy Report, which gives a complete overview ercising infl uence in the international arena. International coopera- of Switzerland’s foreign policy. In particular, the report shows how tion, far from being synonymous with dependence and loss of sov- Switzerland can exercise infl uence in today’s globalised world ereignty, presents an opportunity to defend one’s own interests in a and the instruments it has at its disposal to do so. In addition, this responsible manner. The 2010 Foreign Policy Report therefore comprehensive document outlines Switzerland’s most important concludes that it is vital for Switzerland to do everything in its foreign policy activities between mid-2009 and mid-2010. power, through its international activities, to extend its infl uence in the international community. The global trends and challenges described by the Federal Council in last year’s Foreign Policy Report have been confi rmed, in particu- lar the shift in economic and political infl uence towards Asia, the com- Penal code, civil code and code of plexity and interdependencies of global crises, and global climate obligations now available in English change. Switzerland has responded to these developments, fulfi lling its role in the international community and consolidating its network The Federal Chancellery has published English translations of of infl uence. The country has worked to resolve problems in various the Swiss penal code, civil code and code of obligations. The trans- regions of the world and thus reinforced its foreign policy commit- lations will be added to the collection of legislative texts already ment, which is based on a policy of bilateral and multilateral protec- available in English, which amounts to some 90 acts and ordinances. tion of interests and a desire to enhance its infl uence. The texts are available online at: www.admin.ch. Situated at the heart of Europe, Switzerland is closely linked to European developments. The 2010 Foreign Policy Report affi rms The English language service of the Federal Chancellery has trans- that, in future, relations with non-European countries will also be- lated the Swiss penal code and updated the existing translations of come more important as the result of new balances of power in the the civil code and the code of obligations. The three documents are international community and the growing infl uence of emerging now available online. nations. The new translations supplement the collection of legislative Today, most foreign policy problems exceed the capabilities of a texts translated into English, which amounts to some 90 acts and single state and must therefore be tackled jointly with other coun- ordinances covering a whole range of topics as diverse as political tries and be the subject of collective consideration within the inter- rights, the monitoring of fi nancial markets, the protection of the national community. The report presents the challenges facing environment, human genetic analysis and professional training. Swiss foreign policy and the solutions it puts forward, particularly Although there are no plans to translate the whole body of Swiss in the fi elds of international fi nancial and economic policy, human law, the collection of legislative texts in English will continue to grow security and migration, and development cooperation. with the addition of certain acts of international signifi cance. As part of this process, the code of penal procedure and the code of civil procedure will be added to the col- lection during the course of 2011. The texts are being published using the structure of the Classi- fi ed Compilation of Federal Legis- lation, which allows users to switch easily between the English version of the text and the other offi cial language versions. The texts can be viewed in HTML or PDF format. The English translations of Fed- eral legislation are available at: www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/rs.html. Please note that, since English is not an offi cial language of the Swiss Confederation, English translations of Swiss legislation are provided for information pur-

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, the repre- poses only and have no legal

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: Keystone sentative of one of the most important foreign policy partners force. 18 NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT

Federal Council 2011 – photo and objectives Publications

For 2011, the Federal Council has defi ned 17 objectives in the fol- Please note that you can order free copies of publications in the fol- lowing areas: to reinforce Switzerland’s economic role, to guaran- lowing areas: tee security, to promote social cohesion, to utilise resources with due regard for sustainable development, and to consolidate Swit- ■ A foreign policy of dialogue zerland’s position in a globalised world. ■ Publications relating to Swiss foreign policy ■ Diplomacy For more information, visit: www.admin.ch/br ■ International organisations - Objectives of the Federal Council 2011 (in German) ■ Europe ■ Peace and security ■ Development cooperation and humanitarian aid ■ Public international law ■ Financial centre and business ■ Human rights, humanitarian policy and migration ■ Swiss abroad

These publications can be downloaded as PDF fi les or ordered on- line. www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/doc/publi.html

Federal acts and ordinances which came into force on 1 January 2011

A list of new Federal acts and ordinances passed by the Federal As- sembly and Federal Council, as well as amendments and repeals, which came into force on 1 January 2011, is available at www.admin. ch/ch/d/gg/ikt/2011_1.html. Available only in German, French, Italian

These relate to: 1. State, population, authorities 2. Private law, administration of civil justice and enforcement 3. Criminal law, administration of criminal justice and execution of sentences 4. Education, science, culture 5. National defence 6. Finance 7. Public works, energy, transport and communication 8. Health, employment, social security The members of the Federal Council (from left to right): Federal Councillor Johann 9. Economy, technical cooperation N. Schneider-Ammann, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey, Federal Coun- cillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (Vice-President), Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, Chancellor of the Confederation Corina NEW POPULAR INITIATIVES AND REFERENDA Casanova By the time of going to press, the following new popular initiatives had been launched since the last edition:

■ “Für ein EU-Beitrittsmoratorium” (For a moratorium on member-

Advertisement ship of the EU), committee: Interest Group for a Moratorium on Mem- bership of the EU, deadline for collection of signatures: 23.05.2012 ■ “Unsere Pensionskassen nicht missbrauchen!” (Stop the misuse of our pension funds!), committee: “Unsere Pensionskassen nicht miss- brauchen!” inter-party committee, deadline for collection of signa- tures: 18.07.2012 ■ “Unsere Nationalbank gehört uns allen!” (The Swiss National Bank

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: Bundeskanzlei belongs to us all!), committee: “Unsere Nationalbank gehört uns al- 19

len!” inter-party committee, deadline for collection of signatures: 18.07.2012 ■ “Unsere Armee benötigt eine klare Kompetenzregelung für den Ein- satz im Ernstfall!” (Clarify competences in respect of real engagements of the armed forces), committee: “Unsere Armee benötigt eine klare Kompetenzregelung für den Einsatz im Ernstfall!” inter-party commit- tee, deadline for collection of signatures: 18.07.2012

By the time of going to press, there were other referenda pending, but the deadlines for the collection of signatures will expire by the time that “Swiss Review” is published. We have therefore decided not to list them. At www.bk.admin.ch/aktuell/abstimmung/ you will fi nd a list of pending referenda and popular initiatives and the corresponding sig- nature forms if available. Please complete, sign and send the forms di- rectly to the relevant initiative committee.

WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND YOU OF THE DEFINITIONS OF THE VARIOUS 89th Congress of the Swiss Abroad: POLITICAL RIGHTS. 26 to 28 August 2011, Palazzo dei Congressi Right of initiative: in Lugano Citizens may use their right of initiative to demand that a proposed change to the Federal Constitution be subjected to a popular vote. For Participants at the 89th Congress of the Swiss Abroad in Lugano will the initiative to proceed, its promoters must collect the signatures of debate direct democracy in an international context. Among other 100,000 citizens who are entitled to vote within 18 months. Popular speakers, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will honour us with her initiatives do not originate with Parliament or the government, but presence. More about with citizens themselves. The right of initiative is equally recognised the topic and the lat- at both cantonal and communal levels. est information on the 2011 Congress can Right of referendum: be found at: www.aso. If a group of citizens do not agree with a law passed by the Federal ch/de/angebote/aus- Parliament, they may demand a referendum. The legislation in ques- landschweizer-kon- tion is subjected to a national vote if 50,000 citizens sign the demand gress. for a referendum within 100 days. This is known as a facultative refer- Put the Congress endum. Only a national majority is required. Any change to the Con- dates in your diary to- stitution, and also the joining of a supranational organisation, must day. We look forward be the subject of an obligatory referendum. It must therefore be sub- to seeing you. jected to a national vote. Referenda of this type require a “double ma- jority”, i.e. a majority at both national and cantonal levels (a canton being a member state of the Swiss Confederation). Please send me the registration documents for the 89th Congress of the Swiss Abroad (26–28.8.2011 in Lugano) Right of petition in spring 2011. Any person capable of exercising judgement – who does not necessar- ily have to be an “active citizen” – has the right to address a written My contact details are: request to an authority concerning any activity of the state. The au- thority is obliged to acknowledge the petition, but is not obliged to Surname/fi rst name: respond. However, as a general rule, the Swiss authorities do consider Address: and respond to petitions.

City/postcode/country: E-mail: Please write clearly in block capitals. RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFICIAL FDFA INFORMATION PAGES: JEAN-FRANÇOIS LICHTENSTERN, SERVICE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD/FDFA, Please send the completed form to: Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Communica- BUNDESGASSE 32, CH-3003 BERNE tions & Marketing, Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne, Fax: +41 (0)31 356 61 01 or TEL. +41 31 324 23 98, FAX +41 31 322 78 66 send us an e-mail to [email protected].

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: Lugano Tourism WWW.EDA.ADMIN.CH/ASD, [email protected] 20 POLITICS

Motorists and rail passengers to pay more for the roads and A new railway infrastructure fund railways. The fi nancing of Switzerland’s infrastructure is on For the railways, the Federal Council is a sound footing by international comparison, with special funds planning to remove the fi xed-term restric- for both road and rail transport. However, current funding is tion on the existing fund and to assign the annual resources for the railways to this pot insuffi cient to meet future expansion and maintenance costs. as well. Operation, maintenance and expan- The Federal Council now wants motorists and rail passengers to sion of the railways would be funded from make a greater contribution. By René Lenzin the new railway infrastructure fund. As things stand, the railway infrastructure fund would receive around CHF 4 billion a year. Switzerland’s transport infrastructure is value added tax. The fund generates around However, according to the Federal Council, worth around CHF 280 billion. It costs some CHF 1.8 billion a year. this will not be suffi cient to cover future re- CHF 6 billion a year to maintain and will re- Half the fuel duty, the fuel duty surcharge quirements – for the two variants of the quire expansion work costing around CHF and income from motorway tolls go into “Bahn 2030” project alone, expansions on the 97 billion up to 2030. These fi gures were re- what is known as the special road transport scale of CHF 12 or CHF 21 billion are antic- cently produced by the Swiss National Sci- fund. This currently produces an annual in- ipated. Even if the Federal Council splits the ence Foundation. Actual expenditure on this come of CHF 6.5 billion. project up into individual expansion stages, infrastructure is as follows: Switzerland in- Over the next 20 years, CHF 20 billion the project, together with the costs for op- vested around CHF 8 billion in roads and from this special fund will go into an infra- erating and maintaining the existing network, railways in 2008, with 55% of the outlay go- structure fund for the completion of the na- will still exceed the income of the railway in- ing on roads and 45% on railways. tional road network and elimination of bot- frastructure fund. The Federal Council is Switzerland is in a very good position by tlenecks as well as for public and private therefore proposing additional income of international comparison when it comes to transport in urban areas. around CHF 900 million a year (see box). fi nancing transport. Specially earmarked re- The road transport situation is somewhat sources enable long-term and virtually reces- Costs underestimated less dramatic. However, according to the Fed- sion-proof planning for this economically Many neighbouring countries envy Swit- eral Council, there is also the risk of a funding pivotal infrastructure. In addition to the or- zerland for this type of sustainable fi nancing shortfall here from around 2015. It wants to dinary budgets of communes, cantons and programme, particularly at a time of eco- prevent this by increasing the special road federal government, there are three pots of nomic downturn and exorbitant national transport fund. Its revenue is to be increased money exclusively available for transport: debt for some. However, Switzerland can- in two stages by CHF 0.8 billion to CHF 1.15 Switzerland has created a fi xed-term fund not afford to rest on its laurels. On the con- billion a year (see box). The consultation for major railway projects, such as the new trary, the above estimates by the Swiss Na- process for the railway funding proposals is base tunnels at the Gotthard and Lötschberg, tional Science Foundation show that future set to begin. As for the road funding concept, the “Bahn 2000” project and the connection funding requirements will not be met by cur- Federal Councillor Leuthard still has to ex- to the European high-speed network. It is fi - rent expenditure without meticulous plan- amine this in greater detail with the Federal nanced by the output-related heavy goods ning involving sacrifi ces. On the one hand, Department of Finance, which is responsible vehicle tax and a proportion of fuel duty and the authorities have underestimated the op- for motorway tolls and fuel duty. erating costs of the new railway infrastruc- ture. On the other, economic growth and the increase in traffi c will create new demands that are not taken into account by the exist- ing planning. Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, who moved from the Federal Department of Economic Affairs to the Federal Depart- ment of the Environment, Transport, En- ergy and Communications after the depar- ture of Moritz Leuenberger, appears to want to tackle this problem resolutely. After just over two months in her new post, she has al- ready presented an outline proposal on transport fi nancing to the government. In mid-January, the entire Federal Council gave her the green light to develop the pro- posed measures in greater depth. Leuthard’s project is based on earmarked special fund-

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photos: Keystone Commuters are already causing traffi c jamsing as described above. Crowds at rush hour on the Swiss railways POLITICS 21

Opposition from all sides Military weapons to remain at home in the cupboard The Federal Council’s proposals consti- 56.3% of voters and 20 cantons have rejected the weapons tute an indirect counterproposal to the re- cently submitted popular initiative on pub- initiative. Members of the army will not have to store their lic transport. This project launched by weapons in armouries in the future. By René Lenzin environmental associations and left-wing/ green parties calls for half the earmarked fuel duty to be made available to public transport. The Federal Council’s plan also intends the use of fuel duty for the railways but it be- lieves the level of redistribution proposed by the initiative’s organisers goes too far. The popular initiative entitled “Protection as evidence of the need to purchase and abil- Whether its concept can win majority sup- against armed violence” suffered defeat at ity to use fi rearms. It aimed to have a pre- port will only become clear during the polit- the ballot box. With a turnout of just under ventive effect as the Federal Council and ical debate. However, there is widespread 49%, the proposal was opposed by the major- Parliament had already tightened up fi re- opposition. The cantons are against addi- ity of cantons and the Swiss people. Only arms legislation prior to the vote. Soldiers tional expenditure on the railways. The SP four French-speaking cantons as well as Ba- can no longer keep ammunition for their and the Greens will not accept tariff in- sel-Stadt and Zurich supported the initia- army pistols or assault rifl es at home. They creases for public transport because this of- tive (see map). can also deposit their weapons at armouries fers environmentally misguided incentives, Overall, differences in voting behaviour voluntarily, but very few have done so thus and many conservative politicians want to were evident between urban and rural areas far. prevent public transport from being perma- rather than between linguistic regions. Al- After the referendum, Simonetta Somma- nently fi nanced in part by road transport du- though the overall outcome in French-speak- ruga, the Minister of Justice, announced fur- ties. ing Switzerland was narrow approval, the ru- ther plans to tighten fi rearms legislation to ral cantons of Fribourg and Valais rejected prevent fatal accidents and suicides involv- ADDITIONAL INCOME the initiative with a “no” vote above the na- ing military weapons. Road: As a fi rst step, the price of the motor- tional average. The urban-rural divide was way toll would be increased from CHF 40 to best illustrated in the two cantons with the No referenda on 15 May between CHF 80 and CHF 100. This would largest populations. In the canton of Zurich, No more national referenda will be held produce additional annual revenue of CHF 33.9% voted in favour in the Andelfi ngen dis- before the federal elections on 23 October 300 to 450 million. trict compared to 65.4% in the Zurich dis- 2011. Given that there are no proposals ready The fuel duty surcharge would later in- trict. 40.6% of voters approved the initiative to be put to the vote, the Federal Council crease by 7 cents to 10 cents per litre, gener- overall in the canton of Berne compared to has decided no referenda will take place on ating additional annual income of CHF 500 66.4% in Berne city. the originally scheduled date of 15 May. to 700 million. The popular initiative called for military However, various elections and referenda weapons to be stored in armouries rather will still take place on this date at cantonal Rail: The railways would have to pay CHF than at home, as they are now. It also de- and communal level. 300 million a year more for use of the tracks. manded a national weapons register as well As they would pass on this increase in train path charges to customers, the average cost of rail travel would increase by 10%. Anyone commuting long distances would in future be allowed to deduct less in travel expenses from taxes. This would produce ad- ditional income of CHF 250 million, which would go to the railways. The cantons would contribute CHF 300 million to the railway infrastructure fund. The fund would receive an additional CHF

ce 40 million a year from redeployment of the existing guarantee credit for noise protec- tion. RL SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Statistics,Map: Voting Federal Statistical Offi 22 THE SWISS ABROAD VOTE

I vote! More than a tenth of the Swiss population lives abroad. According to the latest statistics, there are precisely 695,101 Swiss abroad and 135,877 of them were entered in electoral registers in Switzerland at the end of last year. A quarter of all Swiss adults abroad participate directly in political life and decision-making in Switzerland – that is 2.4% of the electorate.

First name: Ursula First name: Rudolf Surname: Deplazes Surname: Arn Age: 41 Age: 66 Place of residence: Rome, Italy Place of residence: Since: Autumn 2008 North Brookfi eld, MA Since: 1990 Moved to the USA in 1978

Will you take part in the elections on 23 October. Do you vote regularly? ursula deplazes: Provided I receive the voting material on time, rudolf arn: Yes. I take part in elections and referenda.

What are your memories of the fi rst election or referendum you took part in? I can’t remember when I fi rst voted, but I take part in elections and I was elated and proud to have the opportunity to participate and referenda. I have lived in various countries and have always enjoyed have a say in matters I felt were important to me as a Swiss citizen playing a part in determining the fate of my homeland. I see this as a living abroad. privilege.

And why do you take part in elections and referenda? Elections and referenda in Switzerland also concern me as a Swiss cit- I feel that it is important to be part of the process to express my view. izen abroad. I am therefore pleased to assume my political responsi- Even though I have been living abroad for many years, I still feel bility. closely connected to Switzerland and a proud Swiss citizen.

How do you decide who to vote for? I mainly follow political developments in Switzerland online, but I I read the information and material included with the voting pack. If also read the press. Discussion with my friends in Switzerland is also I am not sure or can’t decide I discuss it with my sisters or brother very important. Of course, I also read the electoral material. living in Switzerland.

The Swiss abroad are entitled to vote although they don’t pay taxes and therefore don’t assume any responsibility. This is currently being met with cr Assuming responsibility for a country means much more than paying Swiss living abroad can contribute a lot to Swiss culture and life in taxes. The Swiss abroad are important ambassadors for Switzerland Switzerland with educated decisions and opinions while living away in the world and provide it with a sustainable network. I have noticed from their old country. that the Swiss abroad are increasingly well-organised and want to as- sume greater responsibility.

What are the key issues that Swiss politicians have to resolve? As a Swiss abroad, Switzerland’s position on the international stage One of the main issues is the immigration situation. The immigration concerns me. In this respect, we are going through a key phase where of undesirable people and illegal immigrants calls for strict immigra- Switzerland must fi nd a balance between integration and preserva- tion laws. And the problem of high unemployment is another issue tion of our Swiss identity. for Switzerland that has to be seriously addressed. SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photos: donated 23

“Swiss Review” is featuring some of these “Swiss voters from abroad” in this election year and asks what their reasons are for taking part in politics from afar. Voter profi les can also be found at www.SwissCommunity.org.

First name: Nasha First name: Bernhard Surname: Gagnebin Surname: Beutler Age: 29 Age: 48 Place of residence: Paris, France Place of residence: Since: 2006 São Paulo, Brazil Since: 2009 Moved to Brazil in 2005

nasha gagnebin: Yes. I believe it is very important. I have not bernhard beutler: Yes, I vote regularly because I believe it is im- missed a single opportunity to vote since I obtained my right to vote portant that we as Swiss citizens abroad help select our political rep- in 1999. I even took part in a Great Council of Berne election in 2002 resentatives. The Swiss abroad should also be able to make their con- and the National Council election in 2003. tribution, particularly in view of their internationality.

I had just turned 18 and I was on an exchange year (Intercultural Pro- It was 1984 and the issue was a future “without nuclear power sta- grams Switzerland) in New Zealand. My mother sent me the voting tions”. What interested me most in the electoral debate were the material on maternity insurance. She wrote: “Vote how you want to, opinions of young people. I always thought “it’s our future, the fu- but remember we have wanted this for a long time.” ture of us young people”.

As I’m given the right to voice my opinion, I make use of it! If you We have this democratic tool and should use it. It is important that don’t vote, then you’re not entitled to moan that nothing is happen- all Swiss citizens exercise their vote, otherwise the result is falsifi ed. ing. Voting isn’t diffi cult, you simply have to take an interest. We Swiss abroad also bear responsibility for the future of Switzer- land.

I don’t vote for a list. I give my vote to a party and then I choose pri- I have various criteria, but the most important are the credibility marily based on language. I favour French-speaking candidates and shown by politicians in the past and their attitude towards domestic then young candidates. I try to vote more for women than men be- and foreign policy. cause I think they have a different and better approach to politics. th criticism. What’s your view? The Swiss abroad cannot swing the result one way or the other. How- As a Swiss citizen abroad, you don’t just represent yourself but also ever, we have great responsibility as ambassadors for the nation and your country. If the Swiss abroad perform well, Switzerland benefi ts constantly have to explain and sometimes apologise for the image in various ways. In any case, lots of us will return at some point and Switzerland has in our countries of residence. have the right to decide the future.

They should amend the Constitution to enable minimal representa- The politicians must primarily resolve the issue of the aging popula- tion of the Swiss abroad in Parliament as they constitute almost a tion and sort out the old-age pension system, but also deal with the tenth of the total population. integration of foreign nationals, Swiss isolationism, healthcare and social welfare costs, education and the environment. 24 ORGANISATION OF THE SWISS ABROAD

OSA advice vious two years prior to registration as un- that they can complete on their own or question: employed can be produced. with a guide. Visitors can take trips all over I am a Swiss citizen living abroad outside For further information in German: Switzerland focusing on particular areas of the European Union and EFTA. What are www.treffpunkt-arbeit.ch/dateien/ touristic interest, such as water, history or my rights with regard to unemployment Broschuere/b_ausland.pdf architecture. OSA will set a task for each insurance should I return to Switzerland? www.treffpunkt-arbeit.ch/dateien/ trip that will bring Swiss from abroad answer: Broschuere/b_arbeitslos.pdf closer to the diversity of their homeland. The law on unemployment insurance has The young people will stay with host fami- just been revised, and the amendments will Correction: An error was made in the October 2010 edi- lies, bringing them into direct contact with enter into force on 1 April 2011. The aim of tion of “Swiss Review”, in the “OSA advice” section. The everyday life in Switzerland. representations abroad can neither certify the docu- this revision was to make savings with a ment concerned nor certify the signature on attesta- view to restructuring unemployment insur- tions issued by cantonal traffi c departments. In the Educational holidays case of documents issued by cantonal authorities, au- ance, and a series of measures to this end thentication has to be obtained from the cantonal On two-week language courses, Swiss from were adopted. As far as the Swiss abroad chancellery. If this has been provided, the Swiss repre- abroad have the opportunity to learn Ger- sentation responsible can re-certify the stamp and sig- are concerned, the main amendment af- nature of the cantonal chancellery. man or French. Our “Training in Switzer- fects the duration of benefi ts, which falls land” programme is aimed at young people from 260 to 90 days of allowance at the who want to fi nd out more about attending most. This means that Swiss citizens re- Young people meet in schools, universities or other educational turning from countries that are not mem- Switzerland institutions in Switzerland. bers of the EU or EFTA are entitled to re- This is just some of what OSA offers. Young ceive unemployment benefi ts for 90 OSA is offering a wide range of holidays people will fi nd all the latest information at workdays. The conditions that have to be and educational visits to Switzerland www.aso.ch under the “Offers” section. met for entitlement to unemployment in- this summer. We provide the opportunity surance benefi ts are as follows: the citizen for young people to establish relationships Interview with a young is returning to Switzerland after a stay of with Switzerland, Swiss people and more than a year in a country outside the Swiss living abroad all over the world. Swiss abroad EU and EFTA; the citizen has been in paid 29-year-old James Schuler grew up in employment abroad for a period of at least This year, OSA is expecting around 150 Peru. He recently completed his training at 12 months over the last two years; the citi- young people at its summer camps alone the Ecole Hôtelière in Lausanne. zen claims the right to benefi ts from the where activity holidays are organised with commune of domicile or the regional em- participants from over 40 countries. Young ajas: Why did you decide to come to Switzer- ployment offi ce within one year after re- people will take part in various sporting land for your studies? turning to Switzerland; the citizen is able and creative activities at the camps in the james: There were three important rea- to present an attestation from the em- Flumserberg region. We will assist the mu- sons: fi rst of all, many diplomas issued in ployer abroad indicating the duration of nicipality of Saas Balen with conservation Peru are not fully recognised abroad. This employment. The benefi ts amount to 70% work at a charitable camp in Valais. The would narrow my possibilities for fi nding a or 80% of the insured income, which is cal- adventure trip project in the Bernese culated on the basis of fi xed rates depend- Oberland will provide young people with ing on the level of professional training. the opportunity to learn to cook, navigate, Persons who have worked abroad for canoe, build a place to sleep and many companies that have their registered offi ce other skills, and to apply these skills di- in Switzerland and who have therefore rectly at the camp. contributed to unemployment insurance are subject to the regulations that govern Details benefi ts for persons working in Switzer- Charitable summer camp in Saas Balen land. They will therefore, in principle, be 3/7 – 9/7/2011 entitled to benefi ts for a longer period. Summer camp 1 Flumserberg Persons returning to Switzerland after a 16/7 – 29/7/2011 stay in an EU/EFTA state are subject to Summer camp 2 Flumserberg different regulations owing to the coordi- 30/7 – 12/8/2011 nation of social security systems included in Adventure trip in the Bernese Oberland the agreement on the free movement of 2/8 – 12/8/2011 persons. In principle, it is the last country of employment that is responsible for pay- Discover Switzerland ing unemployment insurance benefi ts un- OSA has created a new project for Swiss less proof of having worked in Switzerland from abroad this year. We will put together

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: donated as an employee for 12 months over the pre- two-week programmes for participants James Schuler 25

job outside Peru. Secondly, the subject I took, Hotel Management, is only offered in Peru by a few private universities that are extremely expensive and I could not afford them. And the third reason is that Switzer- land is considered one of the best countries in the world for studying Hotel Manage- ment.

Did the image you had of Switzerland before coming here correspond to the reality? It was my fi rst trip to Europe and I came here without a plan, which was not so clever. I brought some money which I thought was going to last for a month. But after a week it was all gone! I underesti- mated how expensive life in Switzerland can be. Apart from that, Switzerland is as people stereotype it: kind people, big mountains, blue lakes, cows, watches, cheese, etc … Lynn Allemann from South Africa, Andreas Christ and Ellen Schäffel from Germany (from left to right)

Today you know that you should have pre- pared better before travelling to Switzerland. From the height of summer The young Swiss abroad come from coun- What advice could you give to young people to the depths of winter – tries on all fi ve continents: Germany, France, who, like you, desire to study in Switzerland? halfway around the world Ireland, Sweden, Spain, Hungary, UK, Italy, I recommend to all of you that you are Rumania, USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico, well prepared mentally and economically for Juskila Tunisia and even South Africa, like Lynn. before coming here. Plan where you are go- She is particularly looking forward to mak- ing to stay, where you are going to study, Lynn Allemann spent 12 hours on an aero- ing new friends, but she is a bit down at the and how you are going to fi nance your plane so she could cheerfully stand before moment after falling over a lot during the studies and your lifestyle. me in Lenk one Monday morning in early morning’s snowboarding lessons. But she will January. At home in South Africa, temper- defi nitely return home an accomplished What is it that you miss most from home? atures were around 30°C – Lynn is on her snowboarder at the end of the camp, dream- The same as all the Swiss abroad who live summer holidays. ing about snow and the slopes on her twelve- here: family, friends and food. But now I Those of us who are half-frozen can only hour return fl ight. also enjoy Swiss food! dream of warm sunshine. The opening event The young Swiss abroad in her group are of the 70th Juskila ski camp is highly impres- incredibly grateful, according to group leader Do you think you have changed since coming to sive but hands and feet soon get extremely Sabine Kamm, “even more grateful than the Switzerland? cold with temperatures well below zero. 330 Swiss youngsters”. But everyone is, of Sure I have! I have learned to be inde- Everyone is, of course, excited to see the course, enjoying the snow and having fun be- pendent, to plan and organise, and I have wrestling champion, Kilian Wenger, ski cross ing part of the group. become a less individualistic person. world champion, Mike Schmid, and former 25 JANUARY 2011, SIMONE RINER Federal Councillor Adolf Ogi, who has agreed AJAS – Association for the Promotion to act as patron for the 70 Swiss abroad who of Education for Young Swiss Abroad are attending this year’s Juskila free of charge. PRO JUVENTUTE PEN PALS Alpenstrasse 26 – CH-3006 Berne Normally only 20 Swiss abroad are able to Making new friendships Friends are important. The Pro Juventute Pen Pal ini- Phone: 031 356 61 22 take part in this winter sports week, but the tiative allows children and young people to form E-mail: [email protected] number has been increased to 70 this year to friendships, fi nd out about foreign countries and cul- tures, and discover more about what life is like for www.ajas.ch mark the anniversary. people of the same age abroad. Lots of young people The Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad still like writing and receiving real letters even though carried out the draw for places and handled today almost all communication is via the Internet, e-mail and SMS. Pro Juventute arranges pen pals for the organisation on behalf of Swiss Ski. It children and young people aged 10 to 18 in over 30 also organises ten other camps – in fi ve lan- countries. The languages of correspondence are Ger- man, French, Italian and English. guages – for Swiss children living abroad aged Are you interested? Register online at: 8 to 14. Expertise and enthusiasm go hand in www.projuventute.ch

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: donated hand to ensure success. 26 PIONEERING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOUNTAIN RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Through the depths of the Eiger to the Jungfraujoch lished Jungfraubahn railway company. The Jungfrau railway will celebrate its centenary in 2012. Instead of the seven years anticipated, the construction work took 16 years to complete. Running through a tunnel that passes inside the Eiger and The destination station was no longer at the Mönch mountains, it reaches Europe’s highest railway summit of the Jungfrau but instead at the station and remains the jewel of the Bernese Oberland. Jungfraujoch. By Alain Wey Cog railways driven by tourism This railway was primarily aimed at for- The train passes through the depths of the Mountain railway fever eign tourists and not local people. From 1830, mountain. Passengers look on in astonishment The boom in railway construction at alti- English visitors invaded the Interlaken re- as the north face of the Eiger (3,970 m) passes tude really took off a decade after the inau- gion, which became a well-known English by. The 7.2-km tunnel snakes its way through guration of the fi rst cog railway in 1874 in colony of the period. From 1880, they would the rock, passing through the Mönch (4,107 Vitznau, which climbs the Rigi (canton of lose ground to the Germans, Americans and m) before emerging at the Jungfraujoch (the Schwyz, 1,800 m). In 1912, there were 15 cog French. Foreign tourism peaked between Jungfrau Col) at an altitude of 3,454 metres. railways and 45 funicular railways in Switzer- 1890 and 1914. More than 21 million over- Europe’s highest railway station was the most land. This railway fever undoubtedly culmi- night stays were recorded in Switzerland in audacious Swiss railway project in the early nated with the Jungfraubahn railway. In 1893, 1910. This fi gure would not be reached again 20th century. At the foot of the trinity of Ber- the Wengernalpbahn railway reached the until 1955. The Bernese Oberland cornered nese Alps, a clock counts down the minutes Kleine Scheidegg (2,061 m) at the foot of the a third of the Swiss tourism market from to the centenary of the Jungfrau railway serv- Eiger from Lauterbrunnen (795 m) to de- 1895, and the region’s railways experienced ice on 1 August 2012. There is much to be cel- scend into Grindelwald (1,034 m). In 1869 a real boom between 1890 and 1905 with the ebrated about this company rich in history. In and 1889, negotiations were held about a rail- opening of numerous lines: Berner Oberland 2010, almost 672,000 passengers travelled the way ascending the Jungfrau but those behind Railway, Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen, Inter- 1393-metre ascent to reach the breathtaking the project encountered diffi culties obtain- laken-Grindelwald, Thun-Interlaken, Spiez- panorama of eternal snow. To the south, Alet- ing authorisation and funding. In 1893, the Frutigen and Spiez-Gstaad. sch glacier slopes away for 22 km into the can- Zurich-based industrialist Adolf Guyer-Zel- ton of Valais and to the west stands the ma- ler (1839–1899) put forward a new proposal. Sixteen years of work jestic Jungfrau (4,158 m). Here, the mountain The head of the north-eastern railway com- In 1898, the open-top Eiger glacier line retains the memories of a project that took 16 pany (Nordostbahn) envisaged an electric was inaugurated at 2,320 m. Tunnelling work years to complete and was the crowning glory open-top line between Kleine Scheidegg and in the Eiger started in 1897, and Rotstock of the mountain railway boom that gripped the Eiger glacier that would enter a tunnel (2,520 m) was reached in 1899. In the same Switzerland at the end of the 19th century. through the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau to year, Adolf Guyer-Zeller passed away and Let’s turn back the clock to take a look at the arrive at the summit of the latter. It was his son took up the reins. The work was de- project of a dreamer, Adolf Guyer-Zeller, granted authorisation from the federal au- layed, and the Eigerwand station (2,865 m) without whom none of this would have hap- thorities in 1894 and work began in 1896 un- did not open to the public until June 1903. pened. der the management of the recently estab- The section then reached the Eismeer (sea

Tunnelling miners shortly before the breakthrough at the Eigerwand station on 28 June 1903

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photos: donated Jungfraujoch on 21 February 1912 Kleine Scheidegg with Eiger, Mö 27

of ice, 3,160 m) station in 1905. At this stage, “Gletscherrestaurant”. A new wave of con- Bietschhorn region’s aura saw it become the the initial plans were modifi ed for fi nancial struction on the Jungfraujoch began between fi rst alpine area to be included in UNESCO’s reasons. Instead of a station at Mönchsjoch 1983 and 2002. The new “Berghaus” (16,200 prestigious world heritage site list in 2001. and then at the summit of the Jungfrau, the m3, 7 fl oors) was opened in 1987 and renamed Another award highlights its historical sig- Jungfraujoch was chosen as the terminal and the “Top of Europe”. A second Jungfraujoch nifi cance. The “Bellevue des Alpes” hotel was inaugurated in 1912. Over the years, the railway station hall and a new way out onto (1840) in Kleine Scheidegg was named “His- project claimed the lives of 30 miners (dyna- the Aletsch glacier were opened in 1991, the torical Hotel of the Year 2011” by the Inter- mite explosions, electrocutions, avalanches, opening of a storage yard for the rolling stock national Council on Monuments and Sites rock slides, etc.), witnessed six strikes and fi - at Kleine Scheidegg and the redevelopment (Icomos), which describes it as a “true time nancial problems (actual cost of CHF 15 mil- of the Ice Palace took place in 1992, a new machine”. lion compared to the CHF 10 million fore- viewing terrace on the Sphinx rock was built One man’s dream has become an incredi- cast) and took 16 years rather than the seven in 1996, and the Ice Gateway (3,471 m) ble attraction, and the celebrations ahead anticipated. building was constructed in 2002. should further enhance the region’s reputa- tion. If Adolf Guyer-Zeller had not obtained A world of caverns and underground pas- The aura of the Jungfraujoch authorisation from the federal authorities sageways In addition to mass tourism, one of the based on his promise to invest CHF 100,000 The development of the Jungfraujoch dur- most signifi cant effects of the Jungfrau rail- of his fortune in a meteorological station at ing the 20th century enhanced its reputation. way is the electrifi cation of the villages the terminal, the railway simply would not A world of subterranean passageways and throughout the region with the construction have been constructed. The Jungfraujoch caverns was created in the mountain. A fi rst of power stations and hydroelectric power has been Europe’s highest railway station for tourism centre was built in 1912 before the plants in Lauterbrunnen, in particular. They almost 100 years. opening of the ambitious “Berghaus” in 1924, were initially intended to supply the railway. which is nestled on the south side. The Jung- Then came the attraction of winter sports www.jungfraubahn.ch fraujoch research centre (3,450 m) was and the fi rst ski slopes, including Lauberhorn www.scheidegg-hotels.ch opened in 1931. The Sphinx observatory, (2,472 m) from 1930. The descent to Wen- www.ifjungo.ch/jungfraujoch (Jungfraujoch which stands at an altitude of 3,571 metres, gen is the longest in the world, covering research centre) was opened in 1937, and its astronomic dome 4.5 km. It featured in the movie “Downhill was installed in 1950. It is accessed via two Racer” starring Robert Redford and Gene elevators, which climb another 111.4 metres. Hackman in 1969. The Jungfrau-Aletsch- Initially, the research focused on meteorol- ogy, glaciology and physiological medicine, whereas today it mainly concerns astronomy, astrophysics and cosmic radiation. The Ice VISITOR NUMBERS 2009. The line recorded 500,000 in 1997 and 600,000 Palace was chiselled out and sculpted in the 672,000 people visited the 42,880 visitors in 1913 and in 2000. Its record is 704,312 1930s. In 1972, a fi re destroyed the “Berghaus” Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe” attracted 100,000 in 1952, in 2007. and the tourist centre, which were replaced in 2010. This represents a 200,000 in 1967, 300,000 in by the “Taverne de la Jungfrau” and the 3.2% increase compared to 1972, 400,000 in 1980,

The old mountain hotel was named the “house above the clouds” – er, Mönch and Jungfrau in the foreground, the Aletsch glacier; in the background, the Mönch 28 WORLD TOUR IN A SOLAR CAR

When Icarus fl irts with the sun After visiting Indianapolis and Saint Louis, he went on to Illinois and Kansas where mil- Supported by his team, young engineer Marc Muller has em- lions of tonnes of corn and soya are used to barked on a round-the-world journey in a solar and wind- produce bio-ethanol. He then travelled to powered vehicle. His goal is to visit sustainable development Colorado where almost 10% of electricity is clean (wind, solar and biomass energy). Marc projects on four continents and to publish his reports in the Muller said: “It is one of the most innovative media and online. Alain Wey puts this audacious venture under green states in terms of educating children, the spotlight. allowances for green companies, govern- ment aids, technological innovations and re- search centres.” The governor of Colorado is Having set out on 15 May 2010 from Yverdon- Under the North African sun in fact aiming to reach 30% renewable en- les-Bains, Marc Muller, an engineer from Vaud, In Tunisia, Icare came under close scrutiny. ergy by 2020. and his alternating co-pilots are currently Marc Muller visited the Djebel Chekir waste crossing Latin America after journeying disposal site where technology prevents the through North Africa and the USA. They are release of thousands of tonnes of methane aiming to reach Buenos Aires by the end of into the atmosphere. The landfi ll gas is used April before heading off to Asia. Their goal is to produce electricity and to heat buildings. to arrive in Lausanne by autumn 2011. They Muller also visited the Sidi Daoud wind- have already been confronted with many chal- power plant, which produces 2% of the coun- lenges, including administrative (customs, try’s electricity. The vehicle then headed for residence permits), technical and meteoro- Morocco, its solar power plants and the Rif logical obstacles. During their journey, they wind farm. To reduce its energy dependency, have met a number of environment ministers the government has launched large-scale and have been warmly received by the people green projects aimed at enabling renewable in the countries visited. They have also often energy to contribute 15% of national energy been provided with accommodation by local requirements by 2020. The Icare team also people or members of the Swiss consulates. met students from the Mohammedia de Ra- bat School of Engineering. In Casablanca, In the starting blocks the car was to be put on the ferry for New Prior to departure, the Icare Project re- York but was held up for two weeks because quired 14 months of preparation and the in- of strict US customs regulations. volvement of 70 people working in the fi elds of engineering, vehicle construction, project Across the USA management, logistics, media and sponsor- Icarette fi nally reached the port of New ship. The Icarette was developed from an York at the beginning of August. Here, Marc Marc Muller electric car, the Twike (two-seater German Muller had a real fi ght on his hands before tricycle), by the School of Engineering in the the customs authorities allowed the vehicle Setbacks in Latin America canton of Vaud (HEIG-VD) in partnership to enter. After 50 days of administrative Accompanied by a new co-pilot, Muller left with the School of Engineering in Fribourg. wrangling, Icarette took to the streets of the Denver for the Rocky Mountains where he set It tows a six-metre-long, solar-panel trailer Big Apple and headed for Boston, where the up his wind power system on Pikes Peak at and is fi tted with a fold-down wind-power intrepid adventurer took part in GreenFest 4,301 metres above sea level. After stopping system. “This project is a research project 2010. He then continued his journey to De- in Arizona and New Mexico, he reached Los and one that focuses on how the term ‘sus- troit where he met with engineers from Ford Angeles in November, where the car had to tainable development’ is understood and and members of the University of Michigan. wait before embarking on a ferry for Ecuador. what changes have to be made in society in A ROUND-THE-WORLD order to achieve it”, explained Marc Muller. TRIP: After leaving Yverdon-les-Bains, Icarette Departure: May 2010 Arrival: October 2011 headed for Lausanne, Martigny, and then It- aly, passing through the Saint Bernard tun- A 40,000-km journey through 30 countries to nel. The initial stretch also provided the op- produce 40 reports on

portunity to make the fi rst adjustments, CO2 compensation which required all the skills of the engineer methods and the technical team back in Switzerland. Having gone through the Aosta Valley, the Twike reached the port of Genoa and em-

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Project Photo: Icare barked on the ferry for Tunisia. 29

WHERE AND WHEN? 4 November 2010, Los Angeles more than 20 reports produced (press and 16 May 2010, Saint Bernard tunnel 14 November 2010, Bogotá, Colombia video) 23 May 2010, Genoa, Italy 25 December 2010, Guayaquil, Ecuador Technological production: CHF 150,000 on en- 1 June 2010: Raf Raf, Tunisia 18 January 2011, Lima, Peru gineering, CHF 50,000 on materials, 5 June 2010, Rif Valley, Morocco CHF 25,000 on manufacturing, 15 companies 5 July 2010, Casablanca, Morocco FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT ICARE involved, CHF 60,000 marketing budget 5 August 2010, New York Vehicle: solar panels with 450 photovoltaic Academic output: 2 bachelor projects, 10 se- 19 August 2010, Boston cells, wind-power system on a fold-down mester projects, 2 universities involved, 7 September 2010, Detroit mast which can be used when stationary hundreds of research hours 26 September 2010, Kansas (diameter: 2.8 m), 5000-watt electric engine, Waiting time to get through customs: 12 October 2010, Colorado max. speed 80 kmph Peru 2 hours, Tunisia 4 hours, Morocco 6 21 October 2010, Pikes Peak (4,301 m), 9000 km completed, 55% with solar power, hours, Ecuador 13 days, USA 2 months Rocky Mountains, Colorado 5% with wind power, 40% with bio-ethanol,

The “Icarette”, a converted Twike, is powered by solar and wind energy

The pair fl ew to Colombia without Icarette to South America”, explained Muller. He was such projects are or are not implemented. fi nd out about sustainable development unable to confi rm his plans for arrival in The approach is very different depending on projects there. They visited the “metrocable” Buenos Aires. “It may no longer be possible the continent because the objectives are not public transport system in Medellin where to go to Asia because we’ll arrive too late in the same. He believes North Africa very cable cars sail above the city, connecting the terms of the weather. If that’s the case, we much looks to follow Europe’s lead. “The poor quarters to the city centre, and the El have the option of going to Japan and doing South American approach is very focused on Dorado nature reserve funded by eco-tour- a tour of the island to get some insight into social aspects - they primarily see sustaina- ism. Icarette fi nally reached Guayaquil in Ec- Asian culture”, he said. They would then re- ble development as human development”, uador at the end of December but had to wait turn to Turkey at the end of the summer be- says Muller. “This is a completely different 12 days before getting through customs. fore going on to Eastern Europe and Russia. vision to that of North America, which “Scams, lies, dishonesty and even an armed “We may visit India briefl y (without the car) adopts an extremely technological ap- assault, we saw it all in this place”, recalled on the way back from Japan to take a look at proach.”

Muller. Destination Peru – 400 kilometres af- CO2 compensation projects and to see Asia’s Marc Muller’s adventures can be followed ter crossing the border, one of the vehicle’s approach to sustainable development”, he on his website: www.projet-icare.ch. For the two batteries developed a fault with 1,400 added. remainder of his journey through Argentina, kilometres of desert ahead in temperatures “We are primarily interested in learning Japan, Turkey, Eastern Europe and Russia, of over 40°C. In the end, Muller loaded about the attitudes of communities and soci- Marc Muller is looking for places where he Icarette onto a vegetable truck to reach Lima, eties, as refl ected in their sustainable devel- can stay with his team, or simply for contact where spare parts had been sent for him. “So opment projects.” According to Muller, the with Swiss abroad. You can contact him on

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Project Photo: Icare far, we’ve had nothing but problems in most signifi cant factor is the reason why [email protected]. 30 TRAVEL REVIEW

On journeys of discovery in Switzerland The magazine “Transhelvetica”, which was launched just a few months ago, is aimed at travellers who would rather bypass the conventional tourist destinations, such as the Rhine Falls, Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge, Interlaken and the Matterhorn, because they are more interested in Switzerland off the tourist trail. Its publishers call it a travel culture magazine and its target audience is people who enjoy travel and new experi- ences, who are always looking to fi nd something new, get pleasure from making discov- eries, enjoy surprises and take delight in small gems.

A small team led by 38-year-old Jon Boll- shape of the Cross), readers are treated to “Swissminiatur“ (Miniature Switzerland) in mann, who has realised a long-cherished an enticing guided tour of the city on the Melide. This issue also features the ghosts dream with “Transhelvetica”, are behind the Rhine in a highly personal and unusual way. and demons of “Les Diablerets” and the par- magazine. Even while studying law in Fri- An article on the little-known crossroads of ticle accelerator at the CERN laboratory. bourg, Bollmann, whenever he found lec- Biasca in this issue is a highly informative “Transhelvetica”, of course, also provides tures a bit dull, would travel the length and read. Art history, religion, politics and na- tips for gourmets and gourmands and offers ture are interwoven information on accommodation in quaint along the Via Cur- guesthouses and hotels as well as unusual cis as well as the souvenirs and gifts. proof provided by The magazine is carefully designed, and Benito Mussolini in the production team have adopted a unique Biasca that God illustrative style. The layout has been does not exist. adapted slightly after each issue. The smooth, The second issue, velvety paper is a pleasure to fl ick through with the subtitle and read, and the clear format and additional “Miniaturen” (Min- information are very helpful. iatures), joins mar- “Transhelvetica” will be published six times mot hunters in a year. The next issue with the special theme Grisons and con- of “the horse” will be out on 17 April 2011. It tains a recipe for will be on sale at major kiosks in Switzerland marmot ragout. priced at 10 Swiss francs or available on sub- “Die dreidimension- scription from www.transhelvetica.ch for 45 breadth of Switzerland, usually without any ale Postkarte der Schweiz” (The three-di- Swiss francs a year (75 Swiss francs abroad). particular destination in mind but with great mensional postcard of Switzerland) is the ti- Individual articles can be viewed on the web- curiosity and pleasure in new discoveries. tle of an article on the origins of site. BE Bollmann has also been able to win over well- known Swiss authors for his travel magazine project aimed at people who like to take # 2011 2 # 1 2010 Jan.–Feb. Oktober # 3 2011 März – April travel at a slower pace. The cabaret artist and Transhelvetica Transhelvetica Schweizer Magazin für Reisekultur Transhelvetica Das Kreuz Schweizer Magazin für Reisekultur Miniatur Die sündige Seele, der Herr des Mythenkreuzes, Helvetarien, Kriminalfall, Windowzoo, Nera Verzasca, author, Franz Hohler, describes walks with Waschbären, Schweden, Space Invaders, aufs Kreuz gelegt End der Welt Spurensuche Kleine Teufelchen his unique blend of humour and philosophy Silvesterkläuse 1:87 in the section “Gedankengang” (Train of Thought). Gion Mathias Cavelty is another name on the list of prominent writers. sFr. 10.– sFr. 10.– sFr. 10.– The cross is the main theme of the fi rst is-

sue of “Transhelvetica”. In an article enti- Schwerpunkt Blitz Blitzjäger, Radar, Strom aus Wasser, Blitzfänger, Wie de Blitz tled “Basel aufs Kreuz gelegt” (Basel in the

Advertisement SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: donated ECHO 31

■ Despite the strength of the “The wages paid by banks cannot be twice or three times as high as in the Haiti in the aftermath of the franc, Switzerland experienced real economy. That’s not tenable from a social policy perspective.” earthquakes in January 2010. strong growth in 2010. Exports Konrad Hummler, President of the Swiss Private Bankers Association Lucerne humorist Emil Stein- increased by 7.1% compared to “I try to do my best every day and get extremely annoyed at my own mis- berger received a lifetime 2009, while imports rose by achievement award. takes. I even yell sometimes.” Oswald J. Grübel, CEO of UBS 8.4%. No fewer than eight out ■ Sarah Meier won the Euro- of ten export sectors moved “As one of the world’s richest cities, Zurich has not constructed a single pean fi gure skating title in back into the black, including building since the war that is worth photographing. There is nothing you Berne. Having picked up the watch-making, metallurgy and wouldn’t fi nd elsewhere.” Gottfried Honegger, Zurich artist silver medal in 2007 and 2008, the chemical-pharmaceutical “The better integrated foreigners are, the less they are perceived as a the 28-year-old from Zurich industry. problem. We have neglected this in recent decades.” had not taken part in any com- ■ Last year, UBS achieved a Simonetta Sommaruga, Minister of Justice petitions this season and re- profi t for the fi rst time over a tired from competition after full fi nancial year since 2006. “We face an extremely challenging task; it is almost mission impossible.” her achievement. Federal Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Micheline Calmy-Rey, The bank announced a net on negotiations with the EU over “Bilaterals III” ■ According to a survey by the profi t of CHF 7.16 billion com- Isopublic institute, Switzerland pared to a net loss of CHF 2.74 “The Europeans know that Switzerland is their second-largest trading ranks as the happiest country billion in 2009. Credit Suisse partner with a balance of trade surplus of CHF 20 billion. We are not a in Europe with an average posted a net profi t of CHF 5.1 small player.” score of 8.29. It occupies fi rst Johann Schneider-Ammann, Minister of Economic Affairs, on the EU billion compared to CHF 6.72 place along with Denmark and billion in the previous year. “There are propaganda teams in the individual departments of the Fed- is ahead of Germany (7.1), Italy ■ On 7 February, Switzerland eral Council that infl uence the media, even with untruths.” (6.7) and France (6.6). In Swit- celebrated the 40th anniversary Moritz Leuenberger, former Federal Councillor zerland, 46% of those on low of the vote for women. In 1971, “Those who claim to be good tend not to be there long.” incomes fear losing their job in men gave women the right to Oswald J. Grübel, CEO of UBS 2011 compared to 19% on high vote, making Switzerland the incomes. And in the event of penultimate country in Europe being made unemployed, Swiss to do so (ahead of Portugal). Germans expect to bounce The fi rst 11 women were elected back better than French-speak- to Federal Parliament in Octo- ing Swiss. ber 1971. ■ In a consultative vote, the ■ Switzerland has confi rmed its people of Berne accepted the participation in the 2015 World proposal for the construction Expo in Milan. It is the fi rst of a new nuclear power station country to offi cially announce in Mühleberg by a narrow ma- its presence and hopes to reaf- jority. Having been in service fi rm friendly relations with Italy since 1972, the current site is to in light of political tension over be removed from the network fi scal matters. in ten years’ time. ■ In February, Swiss President ■ The 41st World Economic Fo- Micheline Calmy-Rey pre- rum (WEF) welcomed 35 sented the “Bilaterals III” round heads of state and government of negotiations in Brussels. The as well as 2,500 decision-mak- EU 27 are far from enthusiastic ers from all over the world to about the new proposals as they Davos at the end of January. wish to depart from the bilat- Debates concerned the slow eral approach after the fi rst two growth of the developed econ- Swiss author Melinda Nadj tle: “Tauben fl iegen auf”), “Falcons without Falcon- agreements of 1999 and 2004. Abonji has won the Ger- Nadj Abonji’s semi-autobi- ers” she depicts the every- omies, fears over the euro and ■ According to a study con- man Book Prize and ographical novel, her sec- day life of an immigrant national debt. Forum Chair- shortly afterwards the ond book. The author, born family masterfully and ducted in 2006 by the Berne Swiss Book Prize. Literary in 1968 in Vojvodina in the with great humour. Her man, Klaus Schwab, called for University of Applied Sciences, critics have been en- former Yugoslavia, came to book will be translated optimism and idealism despite thralled by “Falcons with- Switzerland with her fam- into over ten languages 44% of the recipients of welfare out Falconers” (original ti- ily at the age of fi ve, and in this year. the fact that we are close to a benefi ts in Switzerland in 2006 “global burnout”. were under the age of 25, contrast to a rate of 3.3% for Grisons, and the Bernese amounting to almost 31,600 the entire population. nurse, Marianne Kaufmann, young people. That represents ■ At the Swiss Awards, Rolf were voted the “Swiss of the

SWISS REVIEW March 2011 / No. 2 No. / SWISS 2011 REVIEW March Photo: Keystone 4.5% of all 18 to 25-year-olds in Maibach, a doctor from Year 2010” for their work in Tinguely Fountain, Basel

The charm of Unlimited culture Swiss cities. Basel, Switzerland’s 3rd- largest city, also has the What should be your next travel destinations attributes of a cultural capi- tal: this home of contem- for a vibrant combination of culture, nature porary architecture with and leisure activities? Swiss cities, of course! some forty museums which host exhibitions with an Tip 1 international outreach will You are keen on culture, but A constant source delight art lovers. Further information: also wish to recharge your of pleasure batteries in a natural environ- After strenuous leisure ac- 28358 ment and discover the latest ti vities, cultural visits and trends in fashion, architecture shopping time, parks and A Roman city and design? Swiss cities gardens are an open invita- Set amid the vineyards and offer you all that and much tion to stroll and rest a while. orchards of Canton of more besides: from A for And on the horizon, the Valais, Martigny brings to Aarau to Z for Zurich, cities mountain peaks are never far life again its historical past on a human scale await away. See you at: as a Roman city. Discover you. You cannot fail to be MySwitzerland.com/cities the history of the town and attrac ted by their distinctive visit its restored amphithea- Tip 2 features. But they all have Network Switzerland tre, together with the Ro- one thing in common: an Register at man baths, temples and Further information: unrivalled blend of culture, MySwitzerland.com/aso be- residential districts. nature and leisure activities fore June 30th, 2011 and win 28359 for an unforgettable urban a two-night for 2 persons at experience. the Hotel Schweizerhof Ô in A garden city Basel with a museum pass. Are you tempted by a visit to a magnificent private art Further information: collection or a museum of photography which enjoys 54532 an international reputation? Winterthur will surprise you with its dynamic culture. Tip 3 A collaboration between Switzerland Tourism and the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) You are sure to succumb to the charm of its delightful Further information: old city and gardens! 28348