The SVP has once once more attacked Switzerland’s candidacy for the UN Security Council. The Parliament did not enter its game. A few days following the deputies, the senators reiterated Monday by 26 votes once morest 11 their support for the Federal Council.
The dislike of the Conservative Party is not new. Over the years, Christoph Blocher has continued to say all the bad things he thought regarding Bern’s candidacy. In parliament, the group tabled several motions demanding its withdrawal. All have failed. With the election approaching – it is scheduled for June 9 – the UDC is putting the work back on the job.
Risk of being discredited
Having enough deputies, the party was able to impose an extraordinary session on the subject. The National quickly folded the debate, classifying it in a lower category. The rules being different in the Council of States, the discussions lasted longer. Some senators, however, did not hesitate to send a few spades to the Conservatives.
Carlo Sommaruga (PS / GE) recalled that the Swiss candidacy has already been debated on many occasions. “The arguments are known and well-known. There is nothing to call them into question.”
Work began a long time ago, said Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger (Center / LU). Micheline Calmy-Rey, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, launched the case in 2011. Opponents had enough time to file an initiative once morest her and win it, noted the Lucernoise. “A withdrawal of our candidacy would discredit us forever.”
Justice of the peace
Its maintenance would damage the reputation of Switzerland, and in particular its neutrality, considered on the contrary Werner Salzmann (UDC / BE). “In the Security Council, our country would be faced with difficult situations, where it would have to take a position on sanctions once morest countries, whose interests it represents, or controversial military interventions, such as that in Libya.”
Sanctions concerning the war in Ukraine will certainly be debated over the next two years, underlined Beat Rieder (Centre/VS). And the Valaisan to worry regarding the consequences on Bern’s ability to offer its good offices.
“When two countries clash, a third is always necessary to play the intermediary. A role for which Switzerland is predestined”, added Thomas Minder (Ind. / SH). By sitting on the Security Council, Bern is shattering its image as a “justice of the peace”. She would be much more effective if she stayed away from conflict.
The Schaffhousois also denounced the UN system, where five major powers have a right of veto. “Why participate in an institution whose decisions are not enforceable?”
Scalable political neutrality
“The UN Security Council is not a party to conflicts. Its objective is to maintain peace and security in the world”, recalled Céline Vara (Vert-es / NE). Each year, it adopts between 50 and 70 resolutions, mainly aimed at setting up or extending peacekeeping missions.
Swiss neutrality would in no way be jeopardized, insisted several speakers. Austria, Sweden and even Ireland have already occupied a seat on the Security Council. Oslo was also able to play a mediating role in the war in Yemen, and Berlin is committed to a solution to the Libyan conflict. The good offices are thus not tarnished either.
Carlo Sommaruga further noted that political neutrality is not a fixed concept. “The concept evolves according to internal political situations and international contexts. It does not prevent Switzerland from taking a position on world events.”
After the annexation of Crimea, the protection of financial interests prevailed, analyzed the Genevan. “Today, political neutrality also takes into account our values, such as peace, democracy and human rights. We have moved from the neutrality of interests to the neutrality of the defense of our values.”
Have a voice
“Being neutral is not synonymous with indifference in the face of tragic events”, added the President of the Confederation Ignazio Cassis. In a constantly changing world, however, Switzerland cannot solve all complex international problems on its own. “It is important that we get involved in multinational forums. As the saying goes: the absent are always wrong. You have to sit down to be able to participate.”
“A candidacy is in the interest of Switzerland as much as in that of the world”, continued the Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Neutral state listening to minorities, we are always looking for compromise. We have a lot of skills to make available to the international community.”
The Ticino has once more worked to allay concerns regarding the Swiss representatives. Ambassadors are appointed by the Federal Council and carry the decisions of Bern. “In the event of difficult decisions, such as sanctions or military interventions, the government decides, following having consulted at least the presidents of the competent committees.” Abstaining is also always an option.
Switzerland, which this year celebrates 20 years of membership in the UN, has every chance of joining the Security Council in 2023 for two years. She is the only candidate with Malta for the two seats allocated to Western Europe.
This article has been published automatically. Source: ats
