Switzerland Today

Dear Swiss Abroad,

some of you live in countries where politicians move around like VIPs. Motorcades of black, shiny limousines stopping traffic, army personnel in every corner for protection, helicopters landing and taking off from stadiums, etc.

Of course, we like to think our Swiss politicians are not like that. They take the train, walk around without bodyguards and hold a proper job that has nothing to do with politics. They are humility personified – until they need to cater to foreign VIPs who are used to all the trappings of being a Very Important Person.

Keystone / Anthony Anex

In the news: deadly explosion, domestic worker abuse and women’s strike.

An explosion and fire in an underground car park claimed two lives External linkin Nussbaumen in canton Aargau yesterday evening. Eleven people were injured, according to the cantonal police. The tower’s occupants were evacuated by the emergency services and cannot return to their flats. The authorities are organising emergency accommodation for them.

The Geneva-based billionaire Hinduja family has reached a financial settlementExternal link over claims of abuse of domestic workers that had been brought in from India. The former household staff have withdrawn their complaint in return for monetary compensation. In the absence of plaintiffs, the trial continues, as human trafficking by trade is prosecuted ex officio.

Women’s organisations and trade unions will be organising events and ralliesExternal link in many Swiss cities, including Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Winterthur, St Gallen, Lucerne and Bellinzona. June 14 has been chosen as it marks the anniversary of the vote in 1981 that enshrined the principle of equality in the Constitution.

Keystone

Privilege and Swiss politicians: we are not VIPs unless we are around VIPs

The Bürgenstock peace conference begins this weekend. VIPs from 90 countries, including heads of state, will descend on the resort in canton Nidwalden. A whole mountain has been sealed off to the public since Thursday, thousands of army soldiers have been deployed and restrictions have been imposed on movements on the lake and in the air.  

“Restrictions for the local population are unavoidable due to the security requirements for summit participants protected under international law, but the duration and extent are proportionate in the view of those responsible for security,” states the official press releaseExternal link.

Swiss politicians would never inconvenience the publicExternal link in this manner for their own ends. It is probably why I get the feeling that they quite enjoy organising and being a part of VIP events like Bürgenstock or the World Economic Forum, unless they are kicked out by securityExternal link themselves. For a few days, they can drop the act of pretending to be a humble Swiss public servant.