Berset praises the complexity and slowness of democracy
Published: Wednesday, Dec 13th 2023, 08:50
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In a speech to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday, President Alain Berset, who will step down at the end of the year, praised the complexity and slowness of democratic decision-making.
When looking for compromises, it is important to include other points of view and weigh up different interests against each other. Supposedly simple solutions should be approached with caution, said the Fribourg SP politician.
Direct democracy and the fact that the people always have the final say mean that time must be taken to develop stable and balanced solutions. Decisions made today must also be good in ten, twenty or thirty years' time.
Berset hoped that Switzerland would continue to be able to make important decisions in line with its political culture, i.e. together and with respect for one another. "The time when Switzerland could comfortably settle into its niche is over," said the 51-year-old.
"I tried to give everything I could every day," said Berset at the end of his speech.
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