Swiss Review 1/2020

Swiss Review / January 2020 / No.1 4 Mailbag Elections 2019: Switzerland has been hit by a green wave I can understand why some of my friends who reside in Ger- many are (rightly inmy opinion) rather jealous of Switzerland’s political system. Let’s see what the “new” policy achieves. I’m really optimistic that women and young people will bring something different to the political arena than a whole lot of men who have been holding onto their jobs for a long time. On the proportion of women inpolitics: howwonderful! It’s hard tobelieve that Switzerland, onceEurope’s “taillight” in the area of women’s suffrage, is now virtually a front runner. Keep it up, Helvetia! ANDREA FRÖHLICH, BENNINGEN BEI STUTTGART, GERMANY I ampleased about the new trend in voting and above all about the strengthening of the green bloc. Let’s hope that electronic votingwill be adopted. I feel that thinking and acting froma global perspective, without neglect- ing the “national” side of things, couldmake for amore efficient and coherent Swiss foreign policy in the face of newchallenges. MIGUEL MÁRQUEZ DÍAZ, OSORNO, CHILE I received thematerial to vote too late: about threeweeks after the deadline. I hope that we will soon be using the electronic vote. We are in the 21 st century. Congratulations to the women and the young peoplewho represent the best of your Swiss peo- ple. CHRISTIANE JOHNSON, REDDING, CALIFORNIA Why does the author not touch on the low voter participation of only 45.1 per cent? There were more non-voters than voters: that puts the results in context. Besides giving the impression of lack of interest, political impotence or complacency, it could be said to cast doubt on the credibility of many politicians and parties. That’s a pity and is also dangerous as you shouldnot sur- render democracy to totalitarian movements of any political hue, just because they tend to seek attention more loudly than others. Good policy ultimately requires consensus as well and not the ability to be confrontational. It is less spectacular but muchmore effective for the common good. ERIC WEBER, THAILAND Locked up in Switzerland simply for being poor and undesirable We Swiss know terms like “administra- tive detention” only toowell. However, people who were not affected have no idea what it was like. The report of the Independent Expert Commission has finally brought to light the full extent of this inhuman practice, and it sends shivers down my spine when I read the findings. And the fact that the legislation was not amended until 1981, under pressure from other countries (incompatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights), shows that therewas still little awareness of any actual wrongdoing, even in the 1980s. Therefore, many brave people had to step forward to end this unjust system, and now – dec- ades later – again, to make sure the deeds of the past are not forgotten. I am in awe of these people. OSKAR SCHMID, OTTOBRUNN, GERMANY Thank you for exposing my country’s shameful past. In retro- spect, I feel disgusted, but grateful for the courage it has taken to reflect on this not so glorious period of our history. Despite it all, I remain attached to the country that made me! LAURENT BÜRKI, GUIDEL, FRANCE Surprised and totally shocked to find this out now. Couldn’t stop reading your report. And thiswas going on undermy nose for 25 years while living in Switzerland. Never spoken about, non-existent conversation at the table. Who knew? Repulsive and shameful. ISABEL FUCHS, CONNECTICUT, USA Reading this article sent shivers down my spine. I would like to congratulate yourmagazine for publishing it. I was so proud to have been granted citizenship, but the idyllic view I had of Switzerland is now somewhat tarnished. ISABELLE LESCURE-BELLAN, LISBONNE, PORTUGAL There is still reason to be proud of a countrywhich is prepared to face the dishonourable moments of its past and to accept them. DAVID GANI, LONDON, GB When I read the date 1981, I was shocked to the core. I thought that this episode had come to an end after the Second World War and didnot continue for so long. Those responsible thought they were doing the right thing for these “detainees” and the families that they separated. But this is not an excuse. ERNST RÜTIMANN, TRANG, THAILAND Switzerland in cardboard In its last edition, the “Swiss Review” also explored the 100-year-old history of Swiss modelling. We would like to thank the numerous readers who took part in our draw for 20 models. The winners have been notified; the models are already on their way to you by post – and we wish you a lot of fun with build- ing “Switzerland in cardboard”. MARC LETTAU, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, AND SANDRA KREBS, EDITORIAL ASSISTANT