Analysis: Switzerland’s successful participation in the WEF: Now the Federal Council must deliver

Switzerland put an exclamation mark

The “Röstli” promise made in mid-January 2023 was just a detail. Switzerland has been criticized for its refusal to assist Ukraine in the supply of Swiss ammunition. Habeck wasn’t the only one calling for a public rethink. The Federal Council also found itself on the defensive from other parts of the WEF.

This year’s performance is the exact opposite. First, the Federal Council received Chinese Premier Li Qiang (64) before continuing his journey to Davos. And a few hours later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (45) paid his respects. That’s not all: Federal President Viola Amherd (61, centre) announced that she is planning a peace summit in Switzerland together with Selensky. The state government had put an international exclamation point even before the WEF actually started. Even French President Emmanuel Macron (46), who likes to draw attention to himself, had to admit to the Federal Council that this peace initiative was “useful”.

“I come to a positive conclusion”

The six Bundestag members (only Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (60) did not attend Davos) looked confident and knew how to present themselves. “I took one positive from this year’s WEF,” Amherd said at a press conference Thursday afternoon. In his current role as Federal President, the Minister of Defense has held numerous bilateral meetings with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (65), UN Secretary-General António Guterres (74), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (61) and numerous prime ministers. ministers.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis (62, FDP) exchanged views, among others, with the Vice-President of the EU Commission for Switzerland, Maroš Šefčovič (57). Neo-Federal Council Member Beat Jans (59, SP) spoke with the Iraqi Foreign Minister about the migration agreement. Minister of Finance Karin Keller-Sutter (60, FDP) met, among others, with the Minister of Finance of Saudi Arabia.

Amherd talked politics and economics

Amherd concluded positively: “The discussions showed that Swiss determination, reliability and impartiality are essential in conflict resolution.” In response to Blick’s question, the Bundestag Member in the middle explained that, unlike a year ago, he noticed “a very positive and constructive mood” towards Switzerland this time. “What Switzerland was doing in Ukraine, including in the humanitarian sphere, was clearly acknowledged in all discussions.” He used every speech to promote the planned peace summit for Ukraine. The situation in the Middle East was always on the agenda.

In his opening speech, the Federal President appealed to the conscience of politicians and administrators in Davos. “The person who requests it must also deliver it,” he said. And he concluded his speech with these words: “Let’s get to work.”

This now also applies to the entire Federal Council. Switzerland increased expectations with the announced peace summit. Now the Federal Council must deliver.