How will the election of Donald Trump as US President affect Switzerland? Politicians from all parties have commented.Image: Trapezoid/Shutterstock
America has voted: Donald Trump will be the next president. What do Swiss politicians say about his victory? What impact will it have on Switzerland? Watson asked.
From SVP's public joy to reticence
Last week, Federal Councilor Senior Vice President Albert Rösti revealed at an event that he would “prefer Trump” as US president. Later he came back. However, the question arises: Is today a happy day for the senior vice president?
Yes, at least for Senior Vice-President National Councilor Andreas Glarner. In an interview with CH Media, he said:
“It's such a pleasure because Ms. Harris couldn't do it.”
Andreas Glarner, Senior Vice President National Assembly (AG)
Graner is convinced that Trump will ensure prosperity and peace in Europe. He added:
«Finally understand that your time is over! The days of prohibition, socialism, woke madness are now over. “
Andreas Glarner, Senior Vice President National Assembly (AG)
By the end of prohibition, Graner may not be referring to abortion bans, which have become possible again under Donald Trump. Graner is convinced: “Now we will move forward again.”
Graner's attitude is not surprising. When Trump was first elected president of the United States in 2016, Graner publicly stated that he was a fan of Trump. For a while, one of the guys who made America great again was clearly visible in his car.
In this video, Graner expresses his joy at Trump's victory:
Video: ch media/Matthias Steimer
Other high-profile senior vice presidents were deliberately non-reactive. Thomas Aeschi, leader of the senior vice president's parliamentary group, said only to Watson: “Donald Trump was elected because of the will of the American people.” But he could imagine why Trump won:
“Illegal immigration is now a major problem in nearly every state in the United States. Many Americans are in worse economic shape today than they were 20 years ago.”
Tomas Aeschi, Senior Vice President, Nationalrat (ZG)
Esky believes that Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again” resonates more with voters.
From Eski's perspective, what does Donald Trump's victory mean for Switzerland? “We probably won’t know until Trump lays out his plan for his administration after being sworn in in January,” Eski said. Switzerland must position itself accordingly. For example, if Trump really wants to pursue the protectionist economic policies he has announced. “Switzerland will be affected by high trade barriers,” Eski said.
Today, NATO and women's rights are dead for the Socialists
Today is not a happy day for SP. Co-president Matea Meyer posted a video to her followers on Instagram, saying she was still in shock and it was “too bad.” What will you learn from this election? “As a man, you can sexually harass women and even be convicted of it and still become the most powerful man in the world,” Meyer said in the video.
SP national councilor Fabian Molina feels the same way. “I'm very concerned about what this election means for the world,” he told Watson. “We're going to be living in a time of multiple crises: the war in Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East, climate change, the pressure on democracies around the world.” Molina said:
“Under Trump, the United States may no longer be a part of solving global problems.”
Fabian Molina, SP National Member of Parliament (ZH)
Molina is also concerned about Switzerland's security policies. The purpose of NATO is that it is a transatlantic alliance that guarantees Europe the support of the United States. Molina added:
“With Donald Trump at the helm, NATO is all but dead.”
Fabian Molina, SP National Member of Parliament (ZH)
As we all know, today is a turning point for European security. “If Donald Trump does end his support for Ukraine, as he has announced, it will be an invitation for Putin to continue his imperialist policies.” For Molina, Europe should take this election as a signal , showing that it needs to come closer together and take responsibility.
Fabian Molina angered the Swiss this year when he described the Swiss army as a “traditional dress club”.Image: trapezoid
Green Siebel Arslan worries about democracy
Greens national MP Sibel Arslan sounds as pessimistic as the Socialists. She said:
“Today is a difficult day for democracy, the rule of law and climate protection.”
Sibel Arslan, Green National MP (BS)
She added: “The election of Donald Trump will make the world a less safe place.”
Arslan finds it particularly worrisome for democracies around the world that “a man who has been convicted of crimes multiple times is winning because of his words.” Not a person because of his abilities. “Because I'm sure there will be people in this country who will emulate his rhetoric and his approach to democracy and the rule of law.”
Sibel Arslan filed a criminal complaint in January against senior vice president and Trump fan Andreas Glarner for using deepfake videos of her to campaign. Image: trapezoid
Arslan also expressed doubts that Switzerland under Trump can maintain good relations with the United States. “Because now he may have Republican majorities in the House, Senate and Supreme Court, that could have an impact on the system of checks and balances.”
The center does not want to give up hope
In the middle, there is a reluctance to make explicit condemnations. As for the future, we still choose the last resort: hope. Mitte President and National Councilor Gerhard Pfister told Watson:
“All I can say is that I recognize this election and I hope that the polarization and division of the American people will end.”
Gerhard Pfister, Chairman of the Center and Member of Parliament (ZG)
Throughout Donald Trump’s first term, he surrounded himself with qualified people. Pfister hopes he continues to do so during his second term. “At this point it doesn't look like he's going to do that,” Pfister said.
In 2019, Gerhard Pfister pushed for the merger of the CVP and the BDP to form the Center Party. Image: trapezoid
Trump has repeatedly signaled that he wants to distance himself from Europe. “For Europe and Switzerland, this means that we must strengthen cooperation on security policy,” First said. During the campaign, Donald Trump promised, among other things, that he would ensure peace in Ukraine within a day. Such a promise leaves Pfister with no hope:
“The question is what Trump means by peace. If he just wants to give land to Russia, that's not peace, that's a victory for Russia.”
Gerhard Pfister, Chairman of the Center and Member of Parliament (ZG)
His party colleague Elisabeth Schneider-Schnatter, a member of the National Council's foreign policy committee, also worries: “Donald Trump will become a challenge to the geopolitical stability of the world.” She is curious about Trump's role in conflicts in the Middle East. what course to take, and whether he will work toward short-term or long-term solutions.
Elisabeth Schneider-Schneider is a lawyer and Schneider-Schneider is a member of the centrist party's executive committee.Image: trapezoid
Tiana Moser (GLP): “Very disappointed”
GLP State Councilor Tiana Moser also found clear words for today:
“The election of Donald Trump is deeply disappointing and concerning.”
Tiana Moser, GLP Member of Parliament (ZH)
On the one hand, from a security policy perspective: Trump has questioned NATO cooperation. This is concerning in light of the war in Ukraine. For Moser, however, it also shows that European countries must take responsibility for their own security policies.
Tiana Moser was elected to the Council of State in 2023, defeating the Senior Vice-President in canton Zurich.Image: trapezoid
On the other hand, from an economic policy perspective, further challenges will arise under Trump. Moser believes that the protectionist economic policies that Trump has announced, as well as any countermeasures from the EU, may have a serious impact on Switzerland.
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America has voted: Donald Trump will be the next president. What do Swiss politicians say about his victory? What impact will it have on Switzerland? Watson asked.
Last week, Federal Councilor Senior Vice President Albert Rösti revealed at an event that he would “prefer Trump” as US president. Later he came back. However, the question arises: Is today a happy day for the senior vice president?
