“Those who disregard their oath of office in the Federal Parliament Building”

Shortly before the end of the summer holidays, a remarkable demonstration by Swiss citizens took place in front of the Federal Palace in Bern, the seat of the Swiss government and parliament. Despite the heat on the Bundesplatz that Saturday (9 August 2025) and despite the obedient silence of the Swiss mainstream media, the participating citizens clearly and decisively expressed their main concern: they feel increasingly betrayed and sold out in their fundamental democratic rights by certain parties, their parliament and the Federal Council. That is why they gathered to focus on the topics “111 years after the outbreak of the First World War – what have we learned from it?” and “Those who disregard their oath of office in the Federal Parliament”. Despite this accusation, which was not unfounded, the rally was calm, sometimes thoughtful and cheerful, and at times even artistically playful. However, its basic tone was serious and straightforward: Switzerland must and should reclaim the core of its neutrality, which has been weakened by pressure groups – especially in these war-clouded times, when demagogues are once again calling the shots. It was no coincidence that Thomas Börlin, president of the “Constitutional Alliance” and the organiser responsible, mentioned in his opening speech that the prevailing mood today reminded him of that of the warring great powers at the outbreak of the First World War.
  Right at the start, an impressively compact procession of Trychler¹ roused Bern, which was leisurely strolling into Sunday. With measured, rhythmic steps, they covered the distance between Münzrain and Bundesplatz, some of them wearing traditional white “Sennenchutteli”², each with one of these heavy cowbells slung over their shoulders on the left and right, swinging them in time with their march. This rhythmic clamour shook not only the windows of the shops under the arcades, but also the hearts of the gathering demonstrators. The banners and slogans they carried made it clear what their march to the Federal Palace was all about: “Peace instead of war” was the main slogan, in many variations. This fundamental call for peace was impressively symbolised on the large banner carried by the demonstrators, which depicted the political hermit and advisor Brother Klaus³ and his famous advice to the Swiss Confederation, which was still young at the time: “Do not interfere in foreign disputes!” Even back then, in the 15^th century, this did not mean cowardly keeping a low profile, but rather avoiding the threat of division by refraining from aligning with powerful “friends”.

Once again political
cabaret with apt content

We are all witnesses to how the policy of pandering to powers that aggressively assert their interests subjects the citizenry to dubious scare tactics and constant war propaganda. It is supported in this by “leading media” such as Swiss radio and television and “quality media” such as the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. A modern descendant of the Bernese troubadours recommended an unexpectedly simple solution to this steamroller at the rally. Standing courageously on the podium, he sang into the microphone to a well-known melody by Mani Matter⁴: “Gottseidank hät’s no nen Abschtellchnopf am Radio”. (“Thank God every radio has an off switch!”).
  In concise appeals, various speakers called on an attentive audience to exercise their right to resist the policy of pandering to power blocs. One such contributor was Alec Gagneux, who, as a perfect speaker and actor, pointed out in two short cabaret numbers that Philipp Hildebrand, once No. 1 at the Swiss National Bank (Hildebrand had to leave the Swiss central bank in 2012 due to private misuse of his insider knowledge), has now become number two at the German branch of the international finance and investment consortium BlackRock, which, according to Gagneux, has annual financial statements in the twelve-digit range. He concluded with an appeal that anyone who wanted the globalised Western financial elite to continue placing its people in key political decision-making positions should continue to campaign for Switzerland to join NATO and the EU. In the second role play, however, he appeared as the critical German singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey, who opposed the insincere tactics used by certain politicians to win over the people. “They call them the people, but they mean subjects!” Protesters waved placards bearing the slogan: “War? – You won’t get our children!”

Swiss direct democracy
is non-negotiable

Thomas Börlin explained that he had written to various members of the National Council and Council of States “here” (in the Federal Parliament) asking for their opinion on the systematic erosion of citizens’ sovereignty, including in Switzerland. No one responded. However, he did receive a clear response from the strategic manager of the Young SVP Switzerland, Ms Sarah Regez, who took to the podium to deliver a passionate statement. She summarised it as follows: she emphasised that this rally is committed to ensuring that in Switzerland, the sovereign, the voters, can continue to decide what happens in our country and what does not. “We disagree with those who say we should join NATO, the EU, the WHO and other undemocratic power structures. That would mean the end of popular sovereignty.” Sarah Regez is committed to maintaining popular sovereignty in Switzerland, to ensuring that our people in parliament decide what is lawful here in Switzerland, and that the voice of the cantons and the voters continues to be decisive when it comes to significant international agreements. Anything else would lead to the loss of our independence.

Only the consistent application of
Swiss neutrality guarantees independence

Among other contributions, two speakers examined the topic comprehensively, yet concisely and succinctly.
  The long-standing holder of the Bern Chair of International Law and Political Science, Professor Dr em. Wolf Linder (Social Democrats), spoke on the panel on the topic of “The neutrality initiative – crucial for Switzerland’s future”. He began his appeal by calling for objectivity in the public debate. Heated and purely emotional statements reminded him of the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. At that time, Switzerland was far from being a united country. The German-speaking Swiss sympathised with the German Empire of Wilhelm II. The heart of French-speaking Switzerland, on the other hand, beat for the French Republic. Unity was then achieved thanks to the Swiss writer Carl Spitteler, who called for emotions to be put aside. Switzerland had to present a united front, he said, as a divided Switzerland could easily be drawn into war. Spitteler therefore called for “maintaining our own independent and neutral position”. Linder defined the term neutrality in clear terms. Above all, it is not a question of personal opinion. Every Swiss citizen is entitled to have and retain their own opinion. However, Switzerland’s neutrality has nothing to do with solidarity. For the constitutional lawyer, neutrality in the sense of a political and internationally recognised principle means “renouncing war and renouncing taking sides with a warring party”. As a state, not as a private individual.

Sanctions without a UN mandate
are a form of economic warfare

It is therefore only logical that Linder considers Switzerland’s alignment with the sanctions against Russia to be an arbitrary act by the Federal Council that runs contrary to Swiss neutrality. It is a measure of economic warfare, which always has devastating consequences, especially for the civilian population, particularly women and children.
  As Linder emphasises, Switzerland has thus sided with a warring party (the US and the EU), which constitutes a violation of its neutrality. The fact that Switzerland has uncritically adopted the sanctions imposed by the US and the EU has, according to Linder, sown justified mistrust throughout the world. Both Putin and Biden have acknowledged this in similar terms: Switzerland is no longer a neutral country. The conference at Bürgenstock was therefore a sad spectacle, certainly not a peace conference. It paid homage to Zelensky and excluded Putin. The price Switzerland paid for this was the loss of international trust as a peace mediator, especially in Asia, Africa and South America. This is the majority of the world’s population, and this majority rightly demands a say. Only with consistent, principled and reliable neutrality can Switzerland restore the trust it has wantonly squandered in international peace mediation (see box). That is why Professor Wolf Linder, a former member of the SP faction in the Thurgau parliament, supports the neutrality initiative. This alone shows, Linder emphasised, how twisted the accusations are that voters are dealing with a “Blocher”⁵ initiative. For Linder, commitment to this cause is an urgent but non-partisan matter.

Weaken the federal oath
of allegiance in whose favour?

Fritz Jordi (Vice-President of the Constitutional Alliance) presented related fundamental facts. Jordi titled his remarks “Peace as the foundation of humanity”. As he explained, the spirit of our liberal constitution is clearly defined in the preamble to the Swiss Federal Constitution. It sets out the ethical imperative to which all Swiss citizens, especially the authorities, are subject. It states that the Swiss Confederation was founded on the desire to stand up for freedom and democracy, independence and peace, in solidarity and openness towards the world. For Switzerland, a small country, it is precisely its neutrality (towards warring powers) that is the proven and promising way to work for peace.
  Jordi further emphasises that Article 5 of our Federal Constitution obliges Switzerland to respect international law as enshrined in international treaties, in particular the Charter of the United Nations and the Geneva Conventions. It was neutral Switzerland that played a key role in shaping international humanitarian law (protection of prisoners of war and civilians, as required by the Geneva Conventions of all belligerents). “As a neutral state, Switzerland can facilitate peace talks, as it has often done when it still adhered to international norms and did not participate in sanctions that violated international law. Those in the Federal Parliament who disregard their oath of office and applaud foreign actors are destroying Switzerland’s role as a neutral state. International law categorically prohibits any sanctions that have not been initiated by the UN. Switzerland has thus been violating international law for years.” Nevertheless, Fritz Jordi concludes his warning with the following sentences, still extending a conciliatory hand in true Swiss fashion: “The breach of the oath of office in the Federal Parliament, and thus of the people and traditions of Switzerland, creates uncertainty. Let us work together to create a world in which human virtues count and fear propaganda and unconstitutional behaviour by the authorities – whether out of carelessness or ignorance – are not tolerated.”
  A fair and argument-based referendum campaign on the neutrality initiative is an opportunity that is unlikely to arise again any time soon.
  Due to time constraints, Jordi was only able to deliver part of his speech. His full speech is available on the website of the “Constitutional Alliance” (https://verfassungsbuendnis.ch/en/welcome/). •

1 “Trycheln” (Swiss German) or “Treicheln” (German): heavy, elongated cowbells. Treichler parades are part of Switzerland’s lively folk tradition; their rhythmic sound was originally intended to drive away evil spirits.
² ”Sennenchutteli”: Solidly woven protective shirts with hoods, traditional workwear worn by mountain farmers and dairymen during their arduous haymaking on steep slopes.
³ also known as Nicholaus of Flüe, Swiss hermit and ascetic who is the patron saint of Switzerland. A farmer, military leader, member of the assembly, councillor, judge and mystic, he was respected as a man of complete moral integrity.
⁴ Mani Matter (officially Hans-Peter Matter) was a popular Swiss singer-songwriter. His Bernese German songs remain very popular in the Swiss German speaking part of Switzerland, and Matter has a great influence on the dialect music scene in Bern, and his songs are frequently covered.
⁵ Christoph Blocher is a Swiss industrialist and politician who served as a Member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2004 to 2007. A member of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP/UDC), he headed the Federal Department of Justice and Police.