The Swiss stunned and worried about the political situation in France

Switzerland does not belong to the EU, but carefully follows what is happening in its neighbors, particularly France. Feelings are mixed in the face of current political uncertainty.

Focus on Switzerland, observer of the European elections as a country which does not belong to the European Union. And what do our Swiss neighbors think of the political situation in France? Richard Werly, Swiss journalist for the daily Blick, is the guest this week of European microphone.

franceinfo: How does Switzerland analyze the European elections?

Richard Werly: There was no big surprise since the outgoing majority, made up of socialists, Christian democrats and conservatives from the European People’s Party and the liberal movement, this majority should be able to hold. A priori, major European legislation for the next 5 years should therefore be approved, even if there is a strong national populist wave. I was going to say that this Europe looks more and more like Switzerland! You know that we have a populist national party with 30% of the vote, the UDC which has been in government for around twenty years, and majorities which are being formed between the UDC, the socialists and the traditional right. The European Union is a large region of the world, with 27 member countries, which has no other solution than to move forward through compromise.

How is the dissolution of the French Parliament perceived by our Swiss neighbors?

First of all, amazement at the speed of Emmanuel Macron’s decision. This is something that is not at all Swiss, that will not surprise you. Our country is renowned for its institutional slowness, and although we are a great manufacturer of clocks, your president took everyone by surprise. This idea that, with a throw of the dice, almost a theatrical gesture, we can dissolve the National Assembly and call a new election on the very evening of a lost vote, is something that astounds. This can only happen in France, a country so vertical, so presidential.

Second element for reflection, concern because it is difficult to imagine what the future government of France will look like. We even wonder if the France of tomorrow, that is to say after the legislative elections, will not become ungovernable…

What inspires you about the hectic week we have just experienced?

Will France find the resources and answers to this unprecedented situation? A situation that Emmanuel Macron did not create alone, since his decision to dissolve was the result of a form of political impasse in the National Assembly. Perhaps in 3 weeks, on the evening of July 7, he will be in the minority and in a cohabitation situation. The first element concerning France is therefore a big question mark. As for the European Union, the question is whether it will be able to keep its promises? Very ambitious promises, whether on the climate, reindustrialization, Ukraine or a response to American protectionist policy. However, it is a little easy to question this from Switzerland, a stable country, a neutral country – some would say a very selfish country, withdrawn into itself. We must also have the humility to say that the European Union has taken courageous decisions and taken initiatives. And when you have courage, you always take risks.

Are the Swiss worried?

On the geopolitical situation, undoubtedly. First, does neutrality still protect us? The decision of the Federal Council (our government) to apply European sanctions shows that our neutrality is already damaged: Russia no longer considers Switzerland as a neutral power (this is one of the reasons why Vladimir Putin said that he would not come to the Peace Conference on June 15 and 16). Then there is economic concern. Switzerland knows perfectly well that its economic future depends on the European Union, the Confederation’s largest trading partner. If the Union were to derail economically or experience serious accidents, Switzerland would obviously be affected.

To read : The ball of illusions, what France believes, what the world sees by Richard Werly and François d’Alençon (Grasset).