Switzerland Today

Dear Swiss Abroad,

In today’s briefing: a handbook for well-informed protesting, and the most pointless laws of the year.

This content was published on May 23, 2023 - 18:00

4 minutes

Originally from Ireland, Domhnall worked in research and writing in a couple of European countries before joining swissinfo.ch in 2017. He covers direct democracy and politics and is usually in Bern.

protest in front of private jets — Keystone / Laurent Gillieron

In the news: climate action, foreigner voting rights, and new Covid vaccine.

Air traffic at Geneva Airport was suspended for an hour earlier this morning after climate activists protested near the runway at Europe’s biggest private jet fair. Several activists handcuffed themselves to private jets on display, before being removed by Geneva police; a total of 80 people were arrested.
Foreigners in Zurich will continue to be unable to vote or be elected at the local level. On Monday politicians narrowly turned down a proposal to grant municipal voting rights to non-Swiss passport holders. Supporters of the initiative had pointed to positive experiences in other cantons.
Researchers at the University of Basel have successfully tested a new Covid vaccine on animals. Based on modified coronaviruses, the “single-cycle” vaccine works by being administered orally or nasally. After success with the hamsters, trials in humans are due to follow.

crowd in front of swiss parliament — © Keystone / Anthony Anex

Revolutionary handbook? Amnesty rides wave of protests.

NGO Amnesty Switzerland has published a handbook for demonstrators, RTS reportsExternal link today. Is it a modern-day anarchist manifesto – a subversive attempt to foment revolution in the Alps? Not quite: the manualExternal link simply explains what is allowed by law in Switzerland, and gives practical tips about what to bring along to your protest of choice (snacks yes; alcohol or pets less so; weapons a no-go). It also criticises “contradictions between international law and Swiss practice” when it comes to the regulation of demonstrations, RTS writes.

All well and good. But the numbers don’t seem to suggest that such a handbook is even necessary, at least for encouraging people to demonstrate in the first place. Last year, Bern recorded more demos than ever before – more than one a day on average. Even during the pandemic, loud anti-lockdown folk were largely tolerated on their many outings; while the Women’s Strike has become a huge day of protest each June. As is happeningExternal link across the world, demonstrating is the new political normal; less trade union and organised party activity, more taking to the streets!

However, for Amnesty, it’s not so much about the numbers, but rather the heavy-handed police reaction to certain events. The NGO is also unhappy about the fact that protests in Switzerland need authorisation in advance. It’s also about making sure people are aware of their rights, and responsibilities, when they do go out to demonstrate, they say (although: note that the guidebook is clearly aimed at supporters of issues like climate, race, and women’s rights; if you’re a right-wing reactionary, this might not be up your street). Ultimately, if we’re all demonstrating these days, we might at least be informed about it.

balthasar glattli — © Keystone / Alexandra Wey

Pointless laws: Swiss politics’ version of Razzies awarded.

Last night saw the annual “rusty regulation” awards handed out by the IG Freiheit group, crowning what it deems the “most useless” laws of the year. The 2023 winner of the spoof gong: Green Party President Balthasar Glättli (pictured), who was lauded for his (failed) proposal to reduce working hours as a way of fighting climate change. In second place was the World Health Organization, for its efforts to make chocolate packaging less appealing to children; third was a Zurich plan to make city centre restaurants open their toilets to everyone, not just to clients.

The crop of laureates in 2023 might seem slightly dry compared to some of the nonsensical winners in past years, which included cow-bell restrictions, the outlawing of beer-pong playing, and a ban on eating fondue in cable cars. The options this year sound rather like they’ve fallen victim to the general humourless atmosphere of back-and-forth sniping about “polarising” topics like gender and climate. But the freedom-loving folk at IG Freiheit are at least having a laugh: as every year, they saw their survey picked up by various media, includingExternal link the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.