Switzerland

Playing with marked cards

How Swisscom, Ringier & Co. steered the e-ID vote in their favour – with Palantir in the background

by Michael Straumann*

(31 October 2025) 50.39 per cent in favour, 49.61 per cent against – a difference of just 20,000 votes, barely more than the population of a small Swiss town. The result caused a stir around the world. Many people on social media were appalled that Switzerland of all countries – the land of direct democracy, often romanticised as the “island of freedom in Europe” – had approved the e-ID law.

The magic of the white flag gives hope Preserving Swiss neutrality

Preserving Swiss neutrality

by Ursula Felber*

(31 October 2025) Max Dätwyler travelled the world with a white flag for peace – ridiculed, misunderstood, but unwavering. His courage reminds us that those who remain silent in times of war are complicit.

Peace concerns everyone, and everyone can sow the seeds of peace. Very few people approve of violence, but those who stand up for peace in times of war have a difficult position. They are quickly suspected of being out of touch with reality or of taking the wrong side.
Switzerland

Early French – why it doesn’t work

by Marita Brune-Koch*

(17 October 2025) In most German-speaking cantons in Switzerland, pupils have been taught French in primary school for over twenty years. This has not been successful, as pupils are not learning enough. Some cantons have therefore decided to discontinue early French (Years 5 and 6) and only start teaching French in secondary school (Year 7).

How can peace ethics succeed?

The example of the CSCE process and Swiss neutrality

by René Roca*

(10 October 2025) Switzerland remained permanently neutral during the Cold War (1949–1991). This way, it helped to initiate reconciliation processes in many conflicts. Switzerland served not only its own country but also Europe and the world in terms of peace policy. At that time, Switzerland was a diplomatic great power.

The Swiss language phenomenon

by Suzette Sandoz,* Pully VD

((26 September 2025) CH-S) The recent decision by the three cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Zurich and St. Gallen to postpone the start of French lessons from middle school (grades 4–6) to secondary school (grades 7–9) has triggered a wide range of reactions in French-speaking Switzerland and in the federal capital of Bern. Disregard for a linguistic minority? A failed experiment with early multilingual teaching? A threat to national cohesion?

Pacific states under pressure

Why does neutral, landlocked Switzerland need to conduct NATO war games in the Pacific?

by Ursula Cross and Thomas Scherr*

(26 September 2025) On 12 September, the 54th meeting of the heads of state and government of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) ended with a declaration entitled “Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace”, which opposes the increasing militarisation of the region. The many island states in the Pacific Ocean, with their diverse populations, are trying to use diplomatic skill to stay out of the growing geopolitical tensions. It is becoming increasingly apparent that NATO and its allies are exerting greater influence to exclude China. “Swiss Standpoint” has reported on this on several occasions. Now we are entering another round, and official Swiss institutions are also playing a dubious role.