Column “My Generation” on the political responsibility of youth: Only those who vote have the right to vote

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The temperature is not yet noticeable, and yet it is slowly approaching: autumn! We are waiting for gusts of wind, walks in the forest and, above all, a lot of election posters. As election season approaches, I can’t wait to see the drama and intrigue of the political elite better than any telenovela. And elections are on Sunday! As exciting as a thriller and as recklessly as playing the lottery.

As a political nerd, I carefully follow all things election-related, in heated discussions on talk shows, on Twitter, or, after one campaign video that made people laugh, briefly on YouTube. In almost every interview, one can hear excavations at the address of opposition parties, and the upcoming elections in the Bundesrat for renewal provide additional fuel.

So, exciting times. I love to walk around the city and look at the campaign slogans on countless posters, some of which are better than others. However, this year I cannot pursue this joy: now I am studying for a semester abroad, in France.

However, after only a week at the new university, it became clear that the election campaigns in Switzerland were nothing compared to the political machinations in France. Here they taunt, taunt and incite what is in it. At least I think so: my French is not that good yet.

As persuasive as these bitter political squabbles are, the French have one thing above all else: bitterness. Dissatisfaction with politics can be felt in conversations with people, in the media and in lecture halls. You can hardly have a say, and it is usually not the best option that is chosen, but the less bad one. Not surprisingly, strikes are part of everyday life here.

Once again I realized what a privilege we enjoy in Switzerland. But the French are ahead of us in one thing: their president is younger than all seven people in our Bundesrat. The average age of council members is also one year younger than in Switzerland.

This is mainly the fault of us boys. I’ll be furious if my friends who have the letter “C, I’m not so interested …” evade the election. Many young people do not understand that our whole life is built on the politics of our country, that we could help shape so much more. Whether it’s the lack of political education, the neglected state of affairs, or the internet, I don’t know.

Before I boarded the train to France, my friends promised each other as a farewell gift that this time they would vote. Perhaps I hope they too will enjoy the political spectacle. And maybe we will be able to reduce the average age of advisers below that of the French!

Noah Dibbasey (22) studies social sciences at the University of Bern. She writes to Blick every second Friday.

Source: Blick