Parliament will again debate Switzerland’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council just before the election by the UN General Assembly scheduled for June 2022. A request from the People’s Party for an extraordinary session on the issue was revealed on Sunday in the Swiss press and later confirmed by Franz Grüter, the party’s chairman of the Foreign Policy Commission.
Two motions tabled by the Swiss People’s Party last December, calling on the government to abstain from applying for a seat on the Security Council, are due to be debated during this session. The discussion should take place before the election in New York, Grüter pointed out.
According to the parliamentarian, a seat at the Security Council would weaken Switzerland’s role as mediator which is “extremely important”. This role was evident both in the recent Geneva talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and in the face-to-face meeting in June last year between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin.
The decision on whether Switzerland will for the first time occupy one of the ten non-permanent seats on the powerful UN body for the period 2023-2024 will be taken in New York in June. The odds of being elected are good. So far, only Malta has announced its candidacy for the two vacant seats in the Western Regional Group.
New gel developed in Zurich renders alcohol harmless
This content was published on
A newly developed gel composed of whey proteins breaks down alcohol in the body and could reduce its harmful and intoxicating effects in humans.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
This content was published on
In many cases, China's use of AI undermines the national security of the US and its allies, according to a US government representative.
Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering
This content was published on
An allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels is accused of money laundering totalling millions and rape, among other serious crimes.
SWISS is airline ‘group flagship’ says Lufthansa boss
This content was published on
Despite challenges, Lufthansa and its most important subsidiary, Swiss International Airlines, promise increased satisfaction and continued growth.
Swiss rediscover communist zeal after 84-year hiatus
This content was published on
Over 300 participants founded the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) at its congress in Burgdorf in canton Bern at the weekend.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
What would Switzerland gain from a seat on the UN Security Council?
This content was published on
Switzerland is a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Why does it want to mix with the big powers?
Swiss budget CHF24.5 million for Security Council candidacy
This content was published on
Switzerland intends to invest CHF24.5 million to support its candidacy and its seat on the UN Security Council for 2023 and 2024.
Ex-diplomat warns Switzerland about UN Security Council bid
This content was published on
Switzerland would subject itself to unwelcome political pressure should it get a seat on the UN Security Council, says a former Swiss ambassador.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.