Obama in Zurich: ‘When a problem arises, we look at how Washington responds’

Although he described himself as "only the fourth Obama in terms of popularity", the former president attracted thousands of admirers to Hallenstadion in Zurich on Saturday night. © Keystone / Walter Bieri

Former United States president Barack Obama shared insights into the government machinery and thoughts on the role his country plays on the world stage at an event in Zurich on Saturday night.

During his first appearance in Switzerland, Obama revealed that what had stood out for him during his eight years as president was the need for persistence to make change happen.

“There’s a big machinery behind the US government and it’s often harder than you think to get it moving,” he told German host Klaas Heufer-Umflauf onstage at the Hallenstadion during an hour-long conversation.

He compared his former role as head of state to being the captain of a large transoceanic steamboat: “You’re at the helm, but you can see that the boat doesn’t manoeuver as well as a speedboat would,” he said, adding that one had to keep making small adjustments and be persistent.

Six years after leaving the White House, Obama said he believed his country still plays an important role in a multipolar world. “When a problem arises somewhere in the world, we [always] look at how Washington responds,” he said.

Asked what his legacy would be, Obama replied: “It’s too early for an obituary.”

‘The fourth most popular Obama’

The former Democratic leader also struck a lighter note and provoked laughter from the audience of over 10,000 with anecdotes from his days in the White House.

“The Oval Office is much smaller than what you see in the movies,” he said. “When you enter it, you’re almost a little disappointed the first time.”

He also joked that he was “only the fourth Obama in terms of popularity, after my wife Michelle and my daughters Sasha and Malia, who are more important than me.”

The nearly sold-out crowd applauded often, with one visitor telling news agency Keystone-SDA: “”It’s good to see positive personalities in politics.”

Members of the Swiss section of the organisation Democrats Abroad arrived early with a sign welcoming Obama. “We’re extremely happy that Obama is in Switzerland for the first time,” Leedonal Moore, international secretary for the group, told Swiss public television SRF. “He has an incredible impact on people.”

Obama arrived at the Hallenstadion amid high security arranged by the city of Zurich and the US Secret Service. © Keystone / Walter Bieri

The city of Zurich was responsible for heightened security during the visit of the former president. Measures were implemented in consultation with the US Secret Service, which is responsible for the security of current and former residents of the White House. In front of the stadium entrance, a few demonstrators denounced the “war-mongering policies” of Obama during his years in power, Keystone reports.

Tickets for the event, dubbed “An evening with President Barack Obama”, ranged from CHF59 ($66) to upwards of CHF2,500 for VIP tickets that gave holders access to the red carpet, an invitation to a pre-event party, and the chance to be photographed with Obama.

The popular former president next heads to similar events organised by expansion.space, part of live entertainment company Streetlife International, in Amsterdam on Monday and Berlin on Wednesday.