National Day in Stansstad

A National Day speech against withdrawal. In troubled times, says Alain Berset, societies turn towards the past. He cites youth unemployment at 60% in southern Europe, the difficulties of the over-50s in finding work again in Switzerland, “eine Zeit-Bombe”, and a world that has become multipolar.

He addresses the relationship with the European Union and the financial centre in the face of new international standards. His conclusion: the Swiss tradition also includes the spirit of reform. “Sich selbst zum Museum zu machen ist aber das Gegenteil einer vitalen, zukunftsfähigen Politik.”

Speeches on this site

• In unserer Vergangenheit steckt sehr viel Zukunft (in German, French-language page)

Sources

• Federal Council, speech of 31.07.2013