Swiss see Obama as figure of hope for 2010
United States President Barack Obama has topped a list of people Swiss are pinning their hopes on in 2010.
The internet study on the bigger question of “hope” attracted 2,735 respondents from German-speaking Switzerland.
Respondents were asked which three people they placed their hopes in next year, with Obama coming first, ahead of life partners and children.
The Dalai Lama was fourth, followed by world tennis number one Roger Federer.
Swiss politicians Didier Burkhalter and Ueli Maurer, the two newest members of the cabinet, were also in the top ten, ahead of rightwing politician Christoph Blocher, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and Swiss footballer Alex Frei.
The German proverb “Hope is the last thing to die” was seen as the most hopeful phrase, followed by Obama’s rallying call “Yes we can”.
A total of 84 per cent said hope was very important or important in their lives. A third said personal health was their biggest hope for next year and 22 per cent said success at work. Success was more important for men and security for women.
The survey was carried out by the Swiss Association for Future Research and weiterdenken.ch in November.
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