Swiss Review 4/2021

Swiss Review / August 2021 / No.4 3 “Berne slams the door shut.” This is how the normally rather staid “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” described the Swiss government’s unilateral decision at the end of May to abandon negotiations with the European Un- ion (EU) – after seven years of discussions on a frame- work agreement that was meant to provide a sound basis for relations between non-EU Switzerland and the EU. A framework agreement that the Federal Council has now consigned to the wastepaper basket. Slamming doors can make people jump. They ask themselves what is going on. But it was not just the bang that was startling. The decision is also unusual, out of character, and troublesome for a country like Switzerland. It is unusual, because Swiss politics has always been about consensus building. Throwing in the towel after years of marathon negotiations is not what you expect fromthe Swiss government. It is a drastic step to take, given the uncertainty that it creates. It is out of character, because as a small country Switzerland prides itself on dialogue. The Swiss government can often be counted on to engage in di- plomacy and dialogue when other European countries are looking for an ar- gument or threatening sanctions. Finally, it is troublesome that the position of the Federal Council altered radically over the years despite the contents of the treaty remaining the same during this time. The finishing line seemed to be in sight as recently as 2019. Apparently, all the government needed to dowas to “clarify” four points. But fast forward to 26 May 2021, and, lo and behold, the same government says there are “insurmountable differences” with regard to the exact same draft. Has the Federal Council been sleepwalking? The decision represents a turning point. It creates uncertainty for well over 400,000 Swiss who live in the EU. How it will affect their lives and live- lihoods remains to be seen, but it will likely make these more complicated rather than easier. How political are the young people who cannot yet vote but will one day be able to pass verdict on current events themselves?We interviewed sixteen 16-year-olds, asking themfor their views. Their responses aremore pertinent than you may think, given that several cantons in Switzerland are consider- ing lowering the voting age to 16. The latest edition of “Swiss Review” focuses on this younger demographic who have the future in their hands. MARC LETTAU, EDI TOR- IN-CHIEF Editorial 5 Mailbag 6 Focus Many Swiss teenagers want the voting age lowered to 16 15 Report Switzerland’s densest cable car network is in Uri 18 Society An important milestone for Switzerland’s Holocaust memorial 20 Images The story of General Bourbaki’s army in 1871 still reverberates 150 years on 22 Politics The Federal Council abandons talks with the EU – many questions remain The failure of the CO 2 Act resets Swiss climate policy Same-sex couples pin their hopes on the “Marriage for all” proposal 28 Covid-19 Exhausted healthcare staff call for wide-ranging improvements 30 Literature 32 SwissCommunity news Interviewwith outgoing OSA President Remo Gysin 35 Notes from the Federal Palace 38 Books / Sounds 39 Top pick / News Contents Turning point with an unclear outcome Cover photo: Sixteen-year-old Johanna from Brugg (canton of Aargau) photogrphed by Kaspar Ruoff “Swiss Review”, the information magazine for the “Fifth Switzerland”, is published by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad.