Political parties Federal Councillor Jans is laughed at at Zurich Albisgüetli conference
SP Federal Councillor Beat Jans promoted the new treaty package with the EU at the Albisgüetli conference in Zurich on Friday - and unintentionally caused a laugh. "I suspected there would be no applause," said Jans.
17.01.2025, 19:45
17.01.2025, 22:02
SDA
Switzerland benefits from Schengen-Dublin, from border protection at the external borders and from the EU internal market, said Jans. These statements were met with laughter and whistles. There was also heckling when Jans said that there was "no automatic assumption of rights" and that Switzerland could always say no with sovereignty.
However, the SP Federal Councillor was not irritated by the reactions and continued his pro-EU speech. Switzerland is not a Gallic village with a magic potion, but is dependent on good relations, he said. "We cannot rein in Switzerland."
"We must not believe that we can do better entirely without our neighbors." The British had believed this and were now paying a high price. People are worse off economically and a clear majority regret Brexit today.
"Don't bow down"
"And it has to be said: we could have much worse neighbors," Jans continued. "Just think of Ukraine." Russia had disregarded international law and brutally invaded its democratic neighbor. There was nothing to relativize.
Nor is it necessary to say that it takes two to fight a war. "And you don't have to kowtow to the aggressor," said Jans, taking a swipe at the previous speaker, "Weltwoche" publisher Roger Köppel, who repeatedly attracts attention with pro-Putin statements. "There is nothing more un-Swiss than admiring autocratic rulers."
