SwissCommunity is o unity A congress dedicated to the “future of democracy” The future of Swiss democracy requires the involvement of young people – including young people from the “Fifth Switzerland”. This was one of the central messages at the Congress of the Swiss Abroad 2022 in Lugano. After the long break imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 98th Congress of the Swiss Abroad on 20 August once again brought together representatives of the “Fifth Switzerland”. It was a chance for making direct contacts, having face-to-face encounters, and finding collaborative solutions – with a focus on “the future of democracy”. “Today we experienced in real ‘real time’ what democracy means, i.e. exchanging views and healthy debating regardless of differences of opinion, whether you live in Switzerland or abroad, or even whether you are Swiss or not,” was how Ariane Rustichelli, Director of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), summed up her personal congress experience in Lugano. Debates and workshops were held beforehand to further elaborate several core statements relating to the congress theme. The importance of political participation was a central focus. OSA President Filippo Lombardi: “In order for our unique democracy to endure and evolve, we also need the youth from the ‘Fifth Switzerland’ to get involved and actively shape our democracy.” At the congress, members of the Youth Parliament of the Swiss Abroad (YPSA) advocated in favour of lowering the voting age to 16. Rustichelli believes that this request should be met with openness and trust. It’s back: the perennial issue of e-voting The right to vote and stand for election is central to political participation. In Lugano, the approximately 400 congress participants from 40 countries reiterated that it should no longer be made difficult or impossible for them to exercise their political rights as granted by Switzerland. Electronic voting is also unlikely to be possible in the 2023 federal elections, meaning that many Swiss Abroad will effectively be excluded from voting. In a differentiated analysis at the congress, correlations were drawn between the situation of Swiss living abroad and that of foreigners living in Switzerland. One quarter of those living permanently in Switzerland are also excluded from political participation. This poses “a risk” and “a problem for democracy”, according to historian Kijan Espahangizi, because it is precisely the Swiss Abroad who understand that “multiple affiliation” is not synonymous with a “conflict of loyalties”. He believes that participating in political decisions in both your country of residence and home country actually strengthens democracy. Although framing it very differently, the congress’s opening speaker, President of the Confederation Ignazio Cassis, drew a similar conclusion. Swiss Abroad see Switzerland from the outside, he stated, and this provides new perspectives and insights. In this way, they pave the way “for Switzerland, as well, to learn from other countries”. (MUL) Free movement of persons – “Fifth Switzerland” makes its position clear to the Federal Council The Council of the Swiss Abroad is calling on the Federal Council to take a firm stand in favour of maintaining the free movement of persons. The CSA feels it is essential to guaranteeing the rights of the 450,000 Swiss citizens living in the EU. At its meeting in Lugano on 19 August, the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA), referred to as the “Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland”, voiced its “extreme concern” about the state of relations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). It stated that the breakdown of negotiations for a framework agreement with the EU would have a particularly negative impact on the 450,000 Swiss nationals living in the EU. The CSA therefore passed a unanimous resolution calling on the Federal Council to adopt a clear and transparent strategy to preserve Advocating in Lugano for youth involvement in politics. Luis Alberto Gostin Krämer (Chile) and Jacqueline Siffer (USA) from the Youth Parliament of the Swiss Abroad. Photo: Adrian Moser 27 Swiss Review / October 2022 / No.5
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