What Switzerland wants at Joe Biden’s summit
With a two-day summit, the USA want to take a stand against the global crisis of democracy. Federal President Guy Parmelin is also there.
–Digital reunion: US President Joe Biden and Federal President Guy Parmelin, here at the summit between the USA and Russia in Geneva.
Photo: Keystone
The idea first haunted Washington’s think tanks, then appeared in Joe Biden’s campaign program – and is now becoming a reality. On December 9th and 10th invites the US President to one «Summit of Democracies».
The conference should be a call to the democracies of the world to work towards a “democratic renewal”, like the US State Department writes. The main themes are “Defense against authoritarianism, the fight against corruption and the commitment to upholding human rights”. Biden himself often speaks of the world being in the midst of a historical confrontation between the systemsind. It will soon be decided whether democratic or authoritarian regimes will prevail.
But the event undoubtedly also has a domestic political dimension: after Donald Trump’s refusal to accept his election, many Americans realized that their own democracy is more fragile than they thought.
Around 110 heads of state and government take part in the mostly virtual conference. These include representatives from countries whose democratic qualifications there are no doubts. But these also include some states such as Pakistan, which can only be called democracies to a very limited extent.
Criticism from China and Russia
Switzerland also received an invitation. Among other things, Federal President Guy Parmelin will talk about the achievements of democracy in Switzerland. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) is in charge of the Swiss contribution. For 15 years we have seen democratic setbacks around the world, says Simon Geissbühler, who heads the Department for Peace and Human Rights at the FDFA: “This is a dangerous development.”
Switzerland therefore welcomes the idea of the summit. Geissbühler refers to the Federal Constitution, in which the promotion of democracy is laid down as a goal of Swiss foreign policy. “We have a high level of credibility in this area. It would be strange if we weren’t there on such an occasion. “
“We have a high level of credibility in this area. It would be strange if we weren’t there on such an occasion. “
In China and Russia, the fact that the USA is holding this summit has armored Triggered reactions. The communist leadership in Beijing published a position paper with the title “China: A Functioning Democracy”. It says: “There is no fixed model of democracy. It presents itself in many forms. “
In Switzerland, too, people know about these background noises. FDFA Ambassador Geissbühler says: “We do not see the summit as a confrontational occasion directed against states that do not share our values.” Rather, it is understood as a “positive commitment to democracy”.
“Democracy is not just about elections”
Parmelin and the Swiss diplomats don’t want to stop at a commercial. In his three-minute address, the Federal President will mention the late introduction of women’s suffrage – as evidence that even the best democracies should apply self-criticism. “We are not just an appendage to the Biden event, but bring our own focus,” says Geissbühler.
It should not even be about people’s rights and direct democracy so much, but about fundamental ones values. “The debate about promoting democracy is often conducted with a narrow focus on elections,” says Geissbühler. “But democracy is not just about elections. It is also about the rule of law, minority protection, conflict resolution, human rights and local participation. We would like to emphasize that. “
Biden has already announced that he will convene another summit in December 2022. Only those who can show that they have made progress in developing democracy in their own country should be allowed to participate. However, according to Geissbühler, Switzerland will not enter into any new obligations. “We bring together where Switzerland is already involved today and where it will increase its commitment in the future.”
Alan Cassidy is an author in the domestic section. During the Trump presidency he reported as a correspondent from the USA. He is co-author of a book about the FDP and its role in the Swiss political landscape.
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