Switzerland Today

Hello from Lausanne,

where it now feels cold, but at least our heating is working (for now). Energy supply has become a top concern for the Swiss, along with the environment and pensions.

Meanwhile, Evi, Eva and Elisabeth, the three candidates vying to become the new Social Democrat member of government, have been meeting the public, here in Lausanne.

First, here's my pick of the day's news:

Keystone/gaetan Bally

In the News: Appeal for East Africa, explanations on Swiss neutrality and a government plan to combat energy crunch.

• The government has presented a draft four-stage plan that would come into effect should there be a serious shortage of electricity in the country. In case of a shortage, the first two levels of response would combine urgent appeals to reduce usage with low-level restrictions, such as limiting advertising lighting during the night, or restricting certain sporting or cultural events. The next step would see rationing for big electricity users. The final option – which “must be avoided at any price”, according to economics minister Guy Parmelin – would see rotating outages in order to maintain the stability of the electricity grid. The package of measures will be discussed by cantons and business representatives before the government comes up with a final draft. 
• As we spare a thought for people freezing in Ukraine, we are also being urged not to forget the food crisis in East Africa. The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts in over 40 years and food prices are soaring. Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, is organising a collection day today so as to extend its on-the-spot aid. The southern part of Ethiopia is one of the areas most affected by the exceptional drought, which is linked to climate change. Some seven million people are in need of urgent food aid in Ethiopia. 
• Switzerland on Wednesday adopted an eighth package of European Union sanctions on Russia over its Ukraine war, targeting Russian oil. Meanwhile, Swiss ambassador to Ukraine Claude Wild says that when it comes to a situation like the current one, Switzerland “is not neutral: we apply neutrality law, that’s different”. This means Switzerland “does not join a military alliance, and does not send weapons to the conflict zone, even to support the victims”. But when it comes to values and interests, Switzerland is not neutral: “we stand clearly behind the Ukrainian position”.

• And a 33-year-old Swiss army sergeant will represent Switzerland in spaceExternal link for the European Space Agency (ESA). Marco Sieber from Biel is a private pilot, adventure-sport enthusiast, and a urologist. He will be a career astronaut and was chosen from among some 23,000 European applicants. He’ll become only the second ever Swiss astronaut. Among the five selected to be career astronauts, three are men and two are women.

Keystone/gaetan Bally

The environment, pensions and energy supply are the things Swiss worry about most, an annual survey has found.

The Covid-19 pandemic, which was the major concern last year, is no longer among the top ten , the survey found. It is now “considered an everyday problem”, according to the Credit Suisse Worry Barometer released on Wednesday.

Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed said the environment was their top worry, whether it be environmental protection, climate change or natural disasters. Next came pension provisions and having enough money for retirement, with 37%.

In third place was energy with 25%, up 11% from last year, which was on a par with concern about relations with Europe.

The Swiss view the economic future “with considerably less optimism than a few years ago”, wrote Credit Suisse. The major fear is now not about losing jobs, but about standard of living.

Evi Allemann, Eva Herzog and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider were in Lausanne for a public hearing. © Keystone / Jean-christophe Bott

After Lucerne on Monday, the three candidates vying to succeed outgoing minister Simonetta Sommaruga were in Lausanne last night.

At a public meeting, Social Democrats Evi Allemann, Eva Herzog and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider took questions from the audience on issues such as purchasing power, health costs and regularisation of migrants. This was their only stop in French-speaking Switzerland, before going on to Zurich on Wednesday and Liestal on Thursday.

According to Swiss public broadcaster RTSExternal link, the three candidates performed mor or less equally in Lausanne, but it gave a slight edge with the audience here to Baume-Schneider who addressed them in their mother tongue.

“These hearings are a first,” says Roger Nordmann, leader of the Social Democrat parliamentary group who was at the meeting.

On Saturday, the parliamentary group will decide on the official ticket, and the election will take place on December 7.