Swiss President Sees Vance Speech as Plea for Direct Democracy

Title Swiss President Sees Vance Speech as Plea for Direct Democracy

As Europe responds to US Vice President JD Vance's recent speech at the Munich Security Conference with a mix of emotions, Switzerland's president offers a more measured tone. In an interview with Le Temps daily, Karin Keller-Sutter, the Swiss finance minister currently holding the country's one-year rotating presidency, praised Vance's very liberal principle expressed in his address.

Vance's speech focused on themes reminiscent of Trump's election campaign, criticizing Europe and Germany for limiting free speech and excluding parties that voice strong concerns over immigration. While the speech drew rebukes from German leaders and others, Keller-Sutter urged calm, highlighting Vance's call to defend values like freedom and the possibility for populations to express themselves.

A Plea for Direct Democracy

Keller-Sutter saw Vance's speech as a genuine plea for direct democracy. She noted that the US Vice President emphasized the importance of defending values shared by the Swiss people, such as freedom and the right to express oneself. This resonates with Switzerland's tradition of frequent referendums, where citizens have a direct say in governance.

Defending Shared Values

Vance emphasized that democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters. He criticized EU commissars for stifling free expression and warned that across Europe, free speech is in retreat. Keller-Sutter's measured tone highlights the importance of staying calm and focused on finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.

No Room for Firewalls

The US Vice President also challenged the German political taboo against working with the far right, stating there's no room for firewalls. This stance aligns with Switzerland's commitment to direct democracy, where citizens have a direct say in governance through referendums.

Calm and Focused

Keller-Sutter downplayed concerns over US efforts to broker a Ukraine truce deal with Moscow, highlighting that Trump's method is to make an announcement and then things evolve. She urged against panicking after each announcement, emphasizing the importance of involving Ukraine, Europe, and the Global South in any talks.

Key Takeaways

Switzerland's president sees Vance's speech as a genuine plea for direct democracy.
Vance emphasized the importance of defending shared values like freedom and the right to express oneself.
The US Vice President criticized EU censorship and German firewalls against working with the far right.
Keller-Sutter urged calm and called for involving Ukraine, Europe, and the Global South in any talks.

Conclusion

As Europe reacts to Vance's speech, Switzerland's president offers a more measured tone. Her words highlight the importance of defending shared values like freedom and direct democracy. As we move forward into 2025, it will be essential for policymakers and professionals to stay calm and focused on finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.

Keywords Direct Democracy, Freedom of Speech, Referendums, US Foreign Policy, Switzerland, Munich Security Conference

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.