Berset tries in vain to calm the waves

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The damage has been done. The fact that Federal President Alain Berset (50) accused others of “war madness” has angered many. Western states feel alienated, as do the parties in the federal parliament. Especially Berset’s own party, the SP.

One could be against the transfer of war material. But denigrating dissidents in this way is unworthy of a federal president, the lobby says. “Many in the SP have long worked on solutions so that Switzerland, despite its neutrality, can make arms deliveries possible and then Berset just jumps in,” complains an SP politician.

“Probably aimed at Western governments”

“Today I feel a war frenzy in certain circles” – Berset himself does not want to comment on his statement. The SP leadership, on the other hand, quickly and clearly made it clear that they did not share this assessment.

In their interpretation, social democrats try to limit the damage: “I have the impression that Berset’s message was aimed at Western governments that are putting pressure on Switzerland. Berset probably wanted to clarify the position of the entire government for reasons of neutrality. »

Communication fiasco

According to the SP, the embedding of the statement was insufficiently clear in the interview. “It was unclear who he meant. It’s definitely a mistake.”

People in Bundesbern are therefore surprised why Berset’s communications team did not intervene. “They should have known that the interview would fly around him,” it says.

If the goal was for Switzerland to appear neutral again abroad, then that goal might even have been achieved, according to the SP. “But he clearly underestimated how much crockery he destroyed with it.”

Mitte immediately feels attacked

The Mitte party is immediately offended by Berset’s statement. By not clarifying to whom he attributed this “war madness”, the Federal President put the center to the test. Because it is well known that Defense Minister Viola Amherd (60) was much more open to the transfer of war material – but could not find a majority in the government and parliament.

Because of the obvious annoyance, Berset would have contacted the center – probably to calm things down. But apparently they don’t really want to have this conversation. Earlier advances were rejected. The shards can no longer be repaired so quickly.

Source:Blick