All is not well in the world of international politics.
Beginning of May the EU sent the Swiss government a letter with 10 questions to answers, amongst them “how do you see the role of the EU justice department”. To make sure the letter had impact it was also leaked to the press. Now Livia Leu, the EU relations coordinator, sent an answer back, stating that Switzerland is not seeking to become a full member of the EU and that to date the relation between Switzerland and the EU worked very well and that it is the EU which is pushing for change. Whereas the EU is trying to position Switzerland as the one wanting something from the EU, Switzerland is turning the tables and saying that it is the EU that wants something from Switzerland. The to and fro continues…
Meanwhile an odd situation has happened between Denmark, Ukraine and Switzerland. Denmark is willing to give the Ukraine tanks which it bought from Switzerland. However Switzerland sees itself caught up in its own legislation and has stopped the donation of the tanks. Last year the people voted that weapons produced in Switzerland could not be distributed to countries at war, and, as a neutral country, Switzerland is not allowed to supply weapons to either waring party. This decision is not only being critisized in Europe but also within Switzerland. Different political factions are taking different sides, with the odd situation that the right wing party the SVP and the left wing party the SP agree on the current course of action, whilst all the middle parties feel that Denmark should be allowed to give the tanks to the Ukraine.
100 teachers are needed in Lucerne to insure that all school classes can be run smoothly next year. This is a marked improvement on the situation as back in April it was over 200 teachers that were needed.
Today the United Kingdom begins 4 days of celebration in honour of Queen Elizabeth II who has now reigned for 70 years. In her honour Swiss light artist Gerry Hofstetter light up the mountains of Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch.
