2024-01-13 14:56:55
Thirteen years following leaving the Federal Council, Micheline Calmy-Rey, 78, is still hyperactive. In the show Helvetica, the former head of Swiss diplomacy, now a professor at the University of Geneva, talks regarding her life today and gives her opinion on Switzerland’s foreign policy.
“Madame Calmy-Rey”, “Madame President” or “Madame Former President”? Guest on the show Helvetica, Micheline Calmy-Rey explains that 13 years following leaving the Federal Council people are often confused when it comes to appointing her today. In any case, the native Valais admits that she doesn’t really like it when she is called “Madame former President of the Confederation”.
“This reduces my life to what I did more than 10 years ago. Now, I teach in particular at the University of Geneva (Unige). I have another career,” she insists. “I give courses on negotiation, negotiation theories, on Swiss foreign policy. We also study many practical cases,” explains the woman who was in charge of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) from 2003 to 2011.
A busy life therefore, and that’s without taking into account his many current projects, notably writing, and his other commitments within foundations active on the international level.
Importance of the debate
At the heart of her lessons at Unige – and this is what has always driven her herself – there is debate. Whether in the policy she led – first at the cantonal then national level – but also within her own family during Christmas meals for example, the adopted Genevan underlines that she always loved debating, discussing, sharing ideas… “And it’s all the more interesting when we don’t have the same opinions,” she adds.
Today we have the feeling that the Federal Council is divided. We are a good team when everyone is pulling on the same rope
Micheline Calmy-Rey, former federal advisor in charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
For her, debate is therefore a necessary element to move things forward. Even more so within the Federal Council where the socialist sat at the time alongside political pundits, like Christoph Blocher (UDC) or Pascal Couchepin (PLR). “Each major party is represented within the college of federal councilors. We belong to different political orientations and we must debate among ourselves to find consensual solutions,” she says.
And when asked whether she finds that the culture of debate has disappeared today within the Federal Executive, Micheline Calmy-Rey hits the nail on the head. “I don’t know if it has disappeared, but what the Federal Council is currently lacking, in my opinion, is a little leadership. We have the feeling that it is divided. We are a good team when everyone pulls on the same rope,” she admits.
Micheline Calmy-Rey says she inherited her conformist but at the same time rebellious side from her Valais roots. “I feel very Genevan. I have spent my entire political life in Geneva, and my children are Genevan. But I remain very attached to my roots, I have a very Valais side, both conformist and rebellious.”
Fervent defender of Swiss neutrality
In addition to her taste for debate, the one who declares “always having something to say” is also known for being a fervent defender of Swiss neutrality, an “active neutrality”. A notion whose primary meaning, she deplores, today tends to be lost, according to current events. “However, it is clear. Neutrality is the renunciation of force to resolve conflicts.”
When you look at what is happening in Gaza, in Ukraine or on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is the balance of power that dominates. And we, Switzerland, are not in a power struggle.
Micheline Calmy-Rey, former federal advisor in charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
In this sense, regarding Ukraine, Switzerland can do a lot of things, for example by helping to rebuild the country. “But she can’t send weapons,” she insists. However, not everyone understands this, or no longer.
“We live in a world where people are like parish priests, they live by professions of faith. They assume that they are right, and that’s how it is,” she explains. A phenomenon that social networks would amplify according to her: “We tell you what to eat, what to think, what to do… And neutrality does not fit into that field. With neutrality, we are in another field, we are not in a world of power relations.”
This world made up of power struggles is dominant today, regrets the former head of Swiss diplomacy. “When you look at what is happening in Gaza, in Ukraine or on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is the balance of power that dominates. And we, Switzerland, are not in a balance of power. strength.”
And the former federal councilor concluded: “But if we consider that this is no longer sufficient, that Switzerland should collaborate more with others in terms of security or armaments, we should then think regarding entering in NATO, as well as in the European Union…”
Comments collected by Philippe Revaz
Web adaptation: Fabien Grenon
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