In their speeches on the national holiday, Viola Amherd and Albert Rösti paid tribute to the introduction of direct democracy 150 years ago. They also spoke about pride and unity.
Viola Amherd stands somewhat stiffly in front of the Stockalper Castle in Brig. The Federal President chose this place for the traditional August 1 speech. This castle, says Amherd, is still standing because it has a “strong foundation” and because “the population has worked hard to preserve it and has looked after it.”
The foundation of Switzerland is direct democracy, which has just celebrated its 150th anniversary. This is an “incredible achievement” but also requires “our care,” said Amherd. Direct democracy is a commitment that we all “meet each other as equals.” This is another reason why we need to work together. “Polarization is not the solution to the problems of our time,” said the centrist Federal Councilor.
She was impressed by the solidarity after the natural disasters this summer. Switzerland must not “freeze in fear” because of all the events currently happening in the world. “We can and must exert influence and help shape our world. It is our responsibility to represent our own values to the outside world,” said Amherd.
Rösti: Going to the ballot box as an outlet for frustration
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, who is giving a speech at seven celebrations, also referred to direct democracy in his speech. Switzerland is an “exotic of freedom”. This is thanks to the initiatives and referendums. These are the “brake” (referendum), the “accelerator” (popular initiative) and the “valve” (general vote). The valve function in particular is an effective means of countering the “explosion of popular anger” that Rösti identified in France during the yellow vest protests.
This “carefully balanced” Swiss model must be preserved, said the SVP Federal Councilor. It cannot tolerate hasty exercises. And it needs “citizens who are committed, who participate, who take responsibility, who have the whole, the common good, in mind and not short-term and short-sighted self-optimization,” said Rösti.Guy Parmelin during his speech in Lucerne. Image: CH Media
Parmelin: “We can be proud”
His party colleague Guy Parmelin made a plea for national pride to be shown more openly. “We tend to make ourselves smaller than we really are.” He listed a whole series of achievements – from economic performance to cultural diversity – of which “we can all rightly be proud.”
But all of this should not lead us to “be tempted into complacency,” says Parmelin. There are enough challenges in Switzerland too – from foreign policy to rising healthcare costs – that require a solution. It is important to look at these problems as “objectively” as possible. And to be careful “to see the forest for the trees, even if politicians like to exaggerate everything a bit.”
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis speaks at the House of Switzerland in Paris.Bild: Keystone
Cassis: “Continue on the path of unity”
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis had already given his first August 1 speech on Tuesday: in the House of Switzerland at the Olympic Games in Paris. He recalled the beginnings of Switzerland, “when three Alpine communities signed a pact to guarantee each other their support.”
Especially in the Middle Ages, relations between the cantons were not always friendly and brotherly, but in the end our ancestors always managed to “take the path to unity,” said Cassis. This search for unity must continue to be the fundamental principle. And “inspire us to find solutions” – especially in foreign policy.
The organizers of the celebration on Wednesday evening in Rorschach chose the safe route. Due to a thunderstorm, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider’s speech had to be cancelled for safety reasons. However, she will give a speech on Thursday in Saint-Pierre-de-Clages in Valais.
