Ogi offers sneak preview of future plans

Swiss president, Ogi, looks forward to life in the slow lane after leaving the political scene Keystone

Switzerland’s president, Adolf Ogi, has told the Swiss press that he plans to write his memoirs after stepping down at the end of the year.

In an interview published in Sunday’s edition of “Le Matin”, Ogi said that he has been living life in the fast lane and hopes to slow down once he leaves office in December.

He added that he will, without a doubt, do some writing. “I’ve been keeping a personal journal since 1968. Each day, I have jotted down notes, impressions and thoughts. I have to put it all in order.”

When asked about his thoughts on the current state of affairs in Switzerland, Ogi said he sees a return of optimism. “People are smiling and talking with each other again. It’s comforting, it’s marvellous. The Swiss are happy with their lives again.”

He added that, in his opinion, there should not be a single poor person in Switzerland. In the interview, Ogi admits that he is a defender of humanistic values, a position he says his fellow People’s Party members have always shared.

When asked about Christoph Blocher, who heads up the Zurich wing of the People’s Party, Ogi said that Blocher is an impressive politician and entrepreneur. “It’s true that we have often done battle but always, on my side, with respect.”

swissinfo