Germans may love Switzerland, but not the people

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Actually, he likes Switzerland. “The mountains are great. There are decent wines and great cheeses,” writes the German columnist Jan Fleischhauer (60) in Focus. But his text is anything but a hymn to Switzerland. That soon becomes clear. The headline already says: “E bitzeli for sale, e bitzeli cowardly : that’s Switzerland.” Because, according to Fleischhauer, the Swiss have no real morals. They “often only vary to the nearest ATM”.

This is already apparent from the current bankruptcy of Credit Suisse (CS). Switzerland’s second largest bank has been rocked by scandals for two years. Among other things, it would have facilitated money laundering and helped criminals and controversial or corrupt politicians and officials conduct their business. Massive losses followed, declining customer and investor confidence and ultimately financing problems.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the new owners come across lockers on which the names of Albert Speer or Idi Amin can still be found when visiting the vault,” Fleischhauer writes about CS. Alber Speer (1905-1981) was a formative figure in the Third Reich under Adolf Hitler (1889-1945). Idi Amin (1923-2003) was a bloodthirsty dictator who ruled Uganda. Switzerland’s role during World War II was correspondingly inglorious. “The hundreds of thousands supposedly saved from persecution were only a few thousand by daylight. Jewish possessions were in any case better than Jewish refugees,” the German writes in his column.

“Always on the road with a raised nose”

CS is just a symptom of Switzerland’s problem: holy neutrality. This has already been shown by the behavior towards Ukraine. While the West supports the country in the fight against Russia with weapons, ammunition and equipment, Switzerland even prevented Germany from sending tank ammunition that our neighbor bought from us to Ukraine. But even this mini help was prevented. And so the columnist comes to his conclusion about the Swiss when he writes: “A bit for sale, a bit cowardly, but always on the move with a raised nose.”

After all, Switzerland would support the sanctions against Russia. But only to the extent necessary. Putin’s lover Alina Kabaeva, who is said to have lived on Lake Geneva until last year, proves that there are still exceptions. There is no evidence for this, only rumours. In the end, Fleischhauer summarizes that Switzerland pretends that war is raging. “If the Russians take over East Germany tomorrow, as announced, then you will simply switch to rubles in business relations.” Like a flag in the wind. Opportunistic.

However emphatically Fleischhauer’s text is written, the commentaries are also hotly debated. Some praise the article. But there is a lot of headwind. “It would also bother me to live in Germany with Switzerland as a neighbor,” says one comment. Another writes: “I wish we had e bitzeli from Switzerland.” The following comment tries to calm things down: “Dear neighbours. No fear. We know that Fleischhauer does not represent you in the majority.” (jmh)

Source: Blick