Direct democracy

These thoughts have come to mind because I have been editing this edition of the magazine elsewhere for a change: not in Berne but far away in the stormy southern hemisphere springtime. As a temporary Swiss Abroad, you could say. One of the features of my time away has been the conversations I have had about what it means to be Swiss.

For starters, what is direct democracy? Let me give a careful answer: it is when voters, i.e. the people, not only elect parliament but also give their verdict on specific issues every few months. Every popular vote is a reality check for parliament and government, revealing the thoughts, hopes, fears and wishes of the electorate. What a wonderful concept.

But then the conversation turns to the topic of nuclear energy. Seven years ago, voters decided that Switzerland would not be building any new nuclear power stations, but despite that Energy Minister Albert Rösti now wants to construct new plants. This is a thorny issue. From the point of view of Swiss energy security, such an about-turn makes sense to some extent, if you discount the unresolved question of nuclear waste. From the point of view of democracy, however, circumventing the will of the people seems an audacious move. At least that is how it appears to those visiting far away places who are trying to explain the magic of 'direct democracy'.

But we can breathe a sigh of relief. Regardless of how far parliament and government want to plough ahead with new reactors, it is still the people who will ultimately decide. And maybe more cantons will have introduced e-voting by then, thereby allowing as many Swiss Abroad as possible to have their say on this crucial matter. Without further ado, our lead article in this new edition of “Swiss Review” delves into the nuclear debate that has divided opinion in Switzerland for over half a century.

MARC LETTAU, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF