Swiss Review 2/2019

Swiss Review / March 2019 / No.2 3 This editorial originated not from the “Swiss Review” office in Berne, but in a Tasmanian suburb about as far away from the Swiss capital as you can get. Many things look different seen fromdown under. Even the voting rights that Switzerland grants to its expats ap- pear in a new light. This privilege comes in for constant criticism in Switzerland. Should people who have never lived in the country also be allowed to vote? On our faraway Antipodean island, we have exhibit A: a young Swiss who has never been to Switzerland but still ex- ercises her democratic right. Let’s call her Sophia. She wants to vote in her first general election this autumn. Her initial thoughts on thematter are sur- prising: voting can be a bit of a headache – at first she often finds the issues perplexing. But, and this is the big but, today’s Switzerland and the opportu- nities and challenges it currently faces are what dominate the family conver- sation once the all-important voting papers arrive. For Sophia, participation in political life therefore means engaging with the real Switzerland of the 21st century – not with an idea of Switzerland based on old reminiscences. By voting, shewill become that little bitmore Swiss and experience a closer bond with her distant homeland. What’s wrong with that? Young Swiss Abroad like Sophia need to know that the criticism is not necessarily aimed at them, but reflects domestic con- siderations instead. Foreigners in Switzerland barely have any opportunities to participate in political life, even if they are well integrated – “secondos” who were born in Switzerland being a prime example. A quarter of the per- manent resident population in Switzerland pays taxes but is politically dis- enfranchised. Many believe that this is one of the dilemmas of direct democ- racy, hence the enfranchised Swiss Abroad are regarded with a certain amount of suspicion. Neuchâtel and Jura have addressed this dilemma by granting cantonal voting rights to foreign citizens. Cantons in French-speak- ing Switzerland in particular also allow their communes to grant voting rights to foreign nationals at the local level. However, there is no national ap- proach to dealing with the issue. Talking of elections, do you intend to vote this autumn? This edition of “Swiss Review” tells you all you need to know about getting on the electoral register. MARC LETTAU, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editorial 5 Mailbag 6 Focus GP shortage – family doctors are increasingly rare in Switzerland’s rural areas 10 Culture The birthplace of the traditional comic is in Switzerland 13 Politics Swiss-EU framework agreement – the moment of truth is at hand Tighter gun laws – Switzerland’s gun enthusiasts are up in arms News from around the world 17 Literature series 18 Politics / 2019 elections Pressure on voting rights for Swiss Abroad 20 Society The Swiss news media in crisis 23 OSA news A practical guide to getting your name on the electoral register 26 news.admin.ch 28 Images A new take on the Lucens nuclear accident 30 Books / Sounds 31 Top pick / News Contents Sophia wants to vote The cover illustration is by Swiss cartoonist Anna Sommer. “Swiss Review”, the information magazine for the “Fifth Switzerland”, is published by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA).