“I’ve never seen anything like it!”

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Appenzell received a distinguished visit last Sunday: the president of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi (60) traveled to Eastern Switzerland together with Federal President Alain Berset (51) to attend the Landsgemeinde.

Wrapped in a blanket and with a cap on his head, Masisi and Berset followed the voting procedure. But the president of Botswana was not only surprised by the cool temperatures. “I was amazed at what I experienced yesterday,” he said at a media conference the next day.

«The Appenzeller are good people»

«The entire canton of Appenzell voted in this square to raise its own taxes! I’ve never seen anything like it in my life!” He had to pinch himself. At first he thought maybe he was so cold he didn’t really notice it. “But they really did raise taxes for themselves. I mean, can you believe that? ” And he adds: “The Appenzeller people are good people!”

In fact, Appenzell-Innerrhoden decided not to raise taxes, but accepted a revision of the tax code. According to the canton, this has “only a marginal effect on tax revenue”.

His surprise amused

Masisi’s amazement is still beautiful to see. An Instagram video from SRF featuring the excerpt from the media conference has already been viewed more than 100,000 times – more than 6,500 people “Like” the post.

How would the president of Botswana react if he found out that the whole of Switzerland has already said no to more holidays? Or that it can become a problem in this country if you paint the house the wrong shade of white?

Goal president

In Botswana things are currently less harmonious than in Appenzell. Masisi has been embroiled in a legal dispute since 2019 with his predecessor Ian Khama (70), who initially chose him as his successor. Khama, now convicted of money laundering in Botswana and in exile in South Africa, wants to defeat Masisi in the next election and depose him in turn. (lha)

Source:Blick