Expo.02 still counting on the public purse

Franz Steinegger wants more public funding for Expo.02. Expo.02/Annelies Egli

The national exhibition's president, Franz Steinegger, has told swissinfo he is counting on the government for more cash.

There are 100 days left before the opening of Expo.02. Does the national exhibition creep into your dreams at night?

Steinegger: Expo.02 shouldn’t creep otherwise we’ll need more than 100 days to make it happen. The event is becoming ever more concrete, and the mood is relatively good, but there are still many problems to resolve, such as a shortage of liquid assets. We are expecting parliament to agree in March to an additional SFr120 million credit.

What if parliament rejects the credit?

I’ve deliberately avoided making provision for such a scenario, because that would arouse too much speculation. But, of course, it would lead to a very difficult situation. We would be forced to rethink with our sponsors what can and what cannot be done.

If we had to work without this credit, Expo.02 would be considerably reduced and our income would be compromised. Indeed, I think we would have to discuss the issue with a [bankruptcy] administrator.

As former president of the Radical Party – a champion of the free market – how do you feel about having to beg money from your former colleagues in parliament?

I didn’t enjoy having to visit both chambers again. Expo.02, and myself in particular, wanted to avoid this at all costs. I don’t feel like a beggar, though. At the time, parliament gave the green light to the project, even though it was aware of the problems.

In 1996, there was a SFr1.3 billion budget, which has since been increased. Parliament was expecting sponsors to chip in with a further SFr800 million, but they were far too optimistic. I see myself as someone who was brought in to recover a difficult situation.

Are you disappointed that business did not invest much in the project?

In 1999, we thought we would attract SFr453 million through sponsoring, based on the response from business. So I am disappointed that they did not support us to the extent that they said they would.

Is there any advantage for the public if the state provides the lion’s share of the cash?

It will emphasise the public’s involvement, and make people feel this exhibition is for them. In the future, we must remember that the taxpayer will have to foot most of the bill if it wants a national exhibition that is more than simply a display of products.

As former president of the Radical Party, does it bother you that the state is playing a bigger role, both in Expo.02 and the economy as a whole?

It doesn’t if it’s in connection with Expo.02. If one wants a show worthy of a national exhibition, public funding must cover at least 50 per cent of the costs. One cannot say lets’s have a national exhibition and then expect others to foot the bill.

What effect should Expo.02 have abroad?

I hope it will prove to the world that we’re capable of successfully carrying out a huge and complex project, and that we have the ability to look at ourselves and our country in both a serious and a light-hearted way.

Since December, there has been a big fundraising campaign among Swiss citizens abroad, but so far not a single franc has come in…

We can’t force anyone to help us. But I understand why the Swiss Abroad have not donated – they already have significant financial commitments to Swiss schools overseas.

What should visitors take away from Expo.02?

Expo.02 should encourage feelings of patriotism – Swiss visitors should go home feeling happy and proud to be a citizen of this country.

Visitors should be provoked to think more about Switzerland and what the country means to them.

This is termed “Suisser” by the French-speaking Swiss writer, Ben Vautier. It is not about locking yourself away in a library, but rather discovering Switzerland in both a happy and solemn atmosphere. But the theme remains Switzerland.

by Kathrin Boss Brawand and Peter Salvisberg