APK Vice-President Sommaruga “worried” about Trump’s election
Published: Wednesday, Nov 6th 2024, 11:50
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Council of States member Carlo Sommaruga (PS/GE) has reacted "worriedly" to Donald Trump's election victory in the USA. The Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of his Council (APK-S) expects setbacks in international relations.
For Sommaruga, the Republican's victory in the presidential elections is based on the populists' tricks with the anti-immigration campaign, a retreat into themselves and the return to nationalist values combined with the figure of the strong man.
These constants can currently be found all over the world, especially in Europe. In the broader context, the international architecture of the post-war period with the rule of law, human rights and multilateralism is being called into question, Sommaruga told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Wednesday.
The Geneva Council of States fears that Switzerland will suffer from the trade wars that Trump could unleash. In view of the tensions, Switzerland will have to ask itself whether rapprochement with the EU is unavoidable.
On the international stage, Sommaruga sees little hope for a freeze in the Middle East conflict, but rather an escalation due to Trump's support for a "Greater Israel". With regard to Ukraine, the new US president will probably try to withdraw and shift the war effort onto Europe. The focus of US foreign policy will be on Asia.
Criticism from other SP representatives and the Greens
SP Co-President Cédric Wermuth called for a coalition for freedom and self-determination in all dimensions as a consequence of Trump's victory on X. Fabian Molina (SP/ZH), member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council, stated on X that Trump's second term in office was devastating news. Europe must now become more sovereign and independent.
SP Vice President and National Councillor Jon Pult (GR) quoted the US constitutional father Benjamin Franklin "A republic, if you can keep it" from 1879 on X. Whether the republic can be kept in 2025 is doubtful.
Green National Councillor and APK-N member Sibel Arslan (BS) assumed that Trump would make the world less safe. Switzerland must show its colors and strengthen Europe as a counter-project. Her party colleague Nicola Walder (GE) commented that right-wing populism and autocrats were gaining ground.
©Keystone/SDA
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