“War frenzy” statement – Mattea Meyer: “I have a different attitude than Alain Berset” – News

In an interview on the neutrality debate, SP Federal President Alain Berset said that he perceived “war frenzy” in “certain circles”. Since then, there has been criticism in Parliament. What does his party president say about this? Interview with Mattea Meyer.

Mattea Meyer

SP Co-President


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Mattea Meyer was elected to the National Council in 2015. Previously, the Winterthur native was a municipal and cantonal councilor and vice-president of Juso Switzerland. Since October 2020 she has been at the helm of SP Switzerland together with Cédric Wermuth.

SRF News: Mattea Meyer, what went through your head when you read the statements made by your Federal President Alain Berset?

Mattea Meyer: I don’t feel any war frenzy myself. Of course there are certain forces that are now trying to exploit this to increase the army’s budget or relax the guidelines for the export of war material.

I don’t feel any war frenzy myself.

But there is one who is actually on a war frenzy, that is Putin. That is why it is our duty to do everything to help the people of Ukraine.

It is not known exactly what Alain Berset meant by “certain circles”. But it is also a discredit to the people in Switzerland who support the re-export of Swiss war material to Ukraine. So are you.

I understand people who are generally against the export of war material. But I have a different stance on this matter from President Alain Berset, but also from the entire Federal Council, which opposes this, which hides behind neutrality on this issue, and also in all other areas in which Switzerland could do something is on the brakes.

But in this interview, the Federal President did not simply reflect the position of the Federal Council, it was a personal statement from Alain Berset.

That was a personal statement by Alain Berset, which I, as Mattea Meyer, but also as SP co-president, do not share, and which I also shared with him.

Alain Berset and Mattea Meyer speak together in Parliament.

Legend:

Is SP Federal Councilor Alain Berset increasingly becoming a burden for SP co-party leader Mattea Meyer?

KEYSTONE/Peter Klaunzer

How did he react?

We are of course in exchange, as we are on other issues. This is his personal attitude; we don’t share them.

Again, how did he react?

I am sitting here to discuss with you what we as SP can do to help the people of Ukraine. It’s his personal attitude that I respect but don’t share.

It’s not the first time he’s made a faux pas lately. In the election year, won’t he slowly become a problem for the SP?

I cannot answer this question for you. But of course it annoys me that we can’t now discuss the central question of how we can stop Switzerland financing the war and what else we can do to help the people in Ukraine who have been suffering immeasurably for a year to be able to assist.

Alain Berset also said he would prefer a negotiated solution. We all want that. The question is: is that realistic?

We all long for peace. But the question is also: What kind of peace? We saw what Putin means by peace in Bucha, where terrible things happened. Such a peace is no peace.

Berset comments on the HSG event – ​​and remains vague


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On Tuesday, Federal President Alain Berset spoke at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) on the subject of “The world in crisis – and Switzerland?” spoken. The moderation duo also approached him about his statement in the NZZ on Sunday.

Berset remained vague in his response, but acknowledged that his choice of words “is a question to ask”. In the current discussion, he notes that the logic of war is almost always in the foreground. It is to be supported that Ukraine is defending itself “with all means”. “I understand that,” says Berset. The help of many countries is therefore “a good thing”.

But one should “see the whole thing more broadly”, according to the Federal President. It needs a thought that goes further – above all about the protection of the civilian population or demining in the war zone. Berset has not apologized or expressly regretted his statement.

I would find it presumptuous, as a member of the National Council, to say from Switzerland what is needed for negotiated solutions. It is clear that we must support Ukraine, also in its right to be able to defend its country.

Doesn’t the Federal President also support those who understand Putin with his statements?

For me it is clear: Just like the SP, the Federal President condemns this war in the strongest possible terms. There is one aggressor, and that’s Putin, and that comes through in this interview.

If you see who is applauding him now, then that was certainly a very unfortunate statement.

But if you see who is applauding him now, then that was certainly a very unfortunate statement.

The Federal President and with him the entire Federal Council are clearly opposed to the re-export of Swiss weapons. You have campaigned for this, but last week two proposals on this matter were rejected. If re-exports don’t work, what does Switzerland have to do?

The re-export of war material is only a small part. As a financial hub, Switzerland would have much greater leverage by blocking Russian oligarch funds and, in the best case, making them available for reconstruction in Ukraine.

The question arises of how to limit the commodity trade that runs from Russia via Switzerland and thus stop the war financing. The question also arises as to how we can accept the refugees properly and offer them protection. And ultimately it could also be about a haircut, where Switzerland, in addition to humanitarian aid, could lead the way.

Thank you very much for this interview, Ms. Meyer.

Thank you very much.

Urs Leuthard conducted the interview.

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