Former Federal Councillor Villiger: Switzerland’s political engine has misfired
Published: Wednesday, Jan 3rd 2024, 02:10
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In the opinion of former Federal Councillor Kaspar Villiger, Switzerland's political engine has suddenly stopped running. In an interview with Tamedia, he called on the Federal Council in particular to detach itself from the interests of its own party.
Urbanization, the fragmentation of political forces and new media have led to a polarized country, as former FDP Federal Councillor Villiger said in an interview with Tamedia published on Wednesday. Polarization is putting the consensus-oriented system under pressure.
"Polarized systems can only work if the poles are prepared to compromise," said Villiger. The polar parties are not prepared to do so. "That's why we have reform status in the European dossier, in pension provision, neutrality policy and energy policy," said the former Minister of Defense and Finance.
In addition, the influence of the parties on their federal councillors has increased. Nevertheless, he has hope. There have been phases of great polarization in the past, said Villiger. He hopes that the Federal Councillors will be less driven by the particular interests of their parties in future. "A united Federal Council can move mountains," said the 82-year-old. He expects the Federal Council to do the same now.
Villiger was a member of the national government from 1989 to 2003. He is considered the father of the debt brake. From 2009 to 2012, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the major bank UBS.
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