COMMENT
External dangers, internal indifference: Swiss democracy must be strengthened
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Putin’s attack on Ukraine is a reminder of how threatened freedom and democracy can be if we’re not careful. But upgrading alone is not enough. We should also stand up for a revitalization of democracy domestically.
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A projection on the facade of the Federal Palace shows the Switzerland-wide stamp project “My canton? our Switzerland».
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Democracy, freedom and the rule of law are under pressure worldwide. Even more: authoritarian, even fascist systems and the free world are at war, as the tragic events in Ukraine show.
Putin’s unprecedented aggression shows us, with great urgency, how vulnerable democracy and freedom are when we are unable to defend them even with military means.
Just: That alone is not enough. Democracy must also be repeatedly renegotiated, fought for and, above all, actively lived in everyday domestic politics in order to promote its stability and legitimacy.
The chronically low voter turnout in the Swiss cantons should therefore give us all the more reason to think. Democracy without democrats is not possible. Last weekend, only every third Vaud man and every third Vaud man went to the ballot box. Tomorrow, Sunday, the Bern elections are unlikely to look any better.
In addition, that quarter of the population that does not have a Swiss passport is excluded from voting. The bottom line is that only around 20 percent of the population takes part in cantonal and communal ballots. At the national level, things are only slightly better – apart from the outliers during the Covid times.
So, in addition to strengthening military defense readiness, we also need to think about how we can consolidate democracy at home. Perhaps with a big festival for freedom and democracy in the summer on the Bundesplatz? Certainly with a better education in state politics for our young people, who have an idea of numbers and figures, but are hardly able to explain Swiss federalism.
Political education is neglected in the country of direct democracy, of all places.
Last but not least, an extension of voting and electoral rights to parts of the foreign resident population would be advisable. It’s about binding these people to our country, to our values, taking them with us instead of excluding them. Switzerland needs an enthusiastic and committed offensive for freedom and democracy. Tanks and anti-missiles alone are not enough.
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