Switzerland

Ideologies bring no solutions

Failure of the energy transition is predictable

by Ueli Gubler,* Engineer, Stettfurt, Switzerland

(16 March 2024) The “Energy Concept 2050” adopted in 2017 provides for the phasing out of nuclear energy and the abandonment of fossil fuels. In the Federal Council’s dispatch, the costs for a household of four were estimated at CHF 40 ($45) per year.

In June 2021, Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga opened the referendum campaign on the CO2 Act with the remark that the energy transition would probably cost one hundred billion francs across Switzerland. That would be a total of CHF 48,000 per household for the conversion. It is to be feared that the federal government, and others as well, have no idea how great the technical costs of the energy transition will be.

“We don’t want to be remembered as victims”

Lecture by Dr Yousef Aljamal at the “Switzerland-Palestinian Society” in Zurich

by Ursula Cross

(16 February 2024) At the invitation of the “Switzerland-Palestine Society”,1 Yousef Aljamal, who grew up in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, spoke on 28 January 2024 about personal stories, stubborn Palestinians, people’s pride in their history and his hope in young people around the world.

“My stories are intended to make it easier for people to imagine life in an occupied territory”. With these words Dr Aljamal started his lecture.

Immediate stop to negotiations with the WHO

Lack of transparency at federal level

by Dr. med. Sabine Vuilleumier-Koch

(9 February 2024) The number of national parliamentarians warning against the adoption of WHO treaties is growing. These treaties, a “pandemic treaty” and amendments to the “International Health Regulations” (IHR), are to be adopted at the World Health Assembly, the WHO’s legislative body, in May 2024 and would have devastating consequences for the member states. Despite this, the Federal Council has not yet provided complete and transparent information about the negotiations to Parliament, let alone the public. The treaties cannot yet be read and studied in any national language; they are only available in English on the Internet.

Look for the female general!

by Christian Campiche,* Lausanne

(9 February 2024) The future of man is the woman. Well recognised, Aragon!¹

When men destroy each other on the battlefields of the world, will the vision become reality?

When will that be?

Look for the woman general! She is the one who holds the sceptre now.

A tribute to Dick Marty

by Guy Mettan,* Geneva

(2 February 2024) I think it makes sense to revisit the death of Dick Marty. On the one hand, because the tributes paid to him did not do justice to his merits. On the other hand, however, because I reproach myself for not having honoured my promise to visit him last spring.

Has neoliberalism eliminated liberalism?

by Suzette Sandoz,* Pully/Lausanne

(25 January 2024) (Ed.) On 5 December 2023, as part of the “Liberal Institute Freedom Festival” in Zurich, the presentation of the “Röpke Prize” to Professor Suzette Sandoz took place.

In her speech which we document below, Suzette Sandoz asks whether neoliberalism has eliminated liberalism. Her answer is: “almost”. According to her, neoliberalism is an economic doctrine aimed at dominating the world, far away from the humanist philosophy of liberalism. Its consequence being that in a neoliberal system, the economy no longer serves mankind, as envisaged by classical liberal philosophy, but mankind serves the economy, as a resource to be exploited as much as possible, without having to worry about social aspects.