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What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?

Hosted by: Domhnall O'Sullivan

On September 18, former interior minister Berset will become the 15th Secretary General of the Strasbourg-based organisation – and the first ever Swiss in the job.

The Council of Europe, founded in 1949, draws up conventions to safeguard and promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in its 46 member states. As Secretary General, Berset will have his work cut out: war in Ukraine and fears of democratic erosion in Europe have put the Council in a tricky position – not to mention the fact that many are unaware of what it even does.

What do you think: do you see the Council of Europe as helping to safeguard European values? Which areas should Berset focus his efforts on in his five-year mandate? Have your say below.

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A Swiss at the top of the Council of Europe

This content was published on Ex-Interior Minister Alain Berset is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the historic Strasbourg organisation. Who is Berset, and what’s in store for his five-year term?

Read more: A Swiss at the top of the Council of Europe

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Mauve-Lac-d`Emosson
Mauve-Lac-d`Emosson
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Alain Berset will do the Council of Europe good, if you only consider how he has mastered our corona crisis. Bravo Mr Berset!

Alain Berset wird dem Europarat gut anstehen, wenn man nur bedenkt wie er unsere Corona-Krise gemeistert hat. Bravo Herr Berset !

Major Wedgie
Major Wedgie

In my opinion Switzerland needs to stay as far away as possible from the EU. Germany was once the economic powerhouse of Europe. It is now teetering on the edge of failure. Everyone thought that the EU would bring all the club med countries up to the same economic standard as Germany. Instead, they decided to bring the German economy down to the club med level. The same fate could await Switzerland. I personally, do not trust Berset and his faked elevation to almost god like status by the disingenuous media.

RUTH JILANI
RUTH JILANI
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I hope he remains loyal to Switzerland and represents our neutrality! Unfortunately, I don't trust him, but we'll see.

Ich hoffe er bleibt der Schweiz Treu und vertretet unsere Neutralitä! Leider traue ich ihm nicht aber wir werden sehen.

Veronica DeVore
Veronica DeVore SWI SWISSINFO.CH
@RUTH JILANI

Thanks for your comment! Could you elaborate on why you don't trust him?

Christian Müller
Christian Müller
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Alain Berset will achieve nothing. Because he claims to have Swiss DNA, but when it comes to Russia and Ukraine, he firmly supports the US line - Ukraine good, Russia bad - and even claims that the Summit on Peace on the Bürgenstock was a success for Switzerland, he is clearly marching on the course of the other US vassals in Europe. With this attitude, he can contribute nothing to peace in Europe. Although I myself paid my dues to the SP until a few years ago, today I have to say that we Swiss can only be ashamed of such politicians.

Alain Berset wird nichts bringen. Weil er zwar behauptet, eine Schweizer DNA zu haben, aber in puncto Russland und Ukraine stramm die USA-Linie vertritt – Ukraine gut, Russland böse – und sogar behauptet, der Summit on Peace auf dem Bürgenstock sei ein Erfolg für die Schweiz gewesen, marschiert er offensichtlich klar auf dem Kurs der anderen US-Vasallen in Europa. Mit dieser Haltung kann er nichts zum Frieden in Europa beitragen. Obwohl ich selber bis vor ein paar Jahren an die SP meinen Obolus bezahlt habe, muss ich heute sagen: Für solche Politiker können wir Schweizer uns nur schämen.

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