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‘We are worried’: Switzerland preparing for riots ahead of Sunday’s Covid vote

Swiss authorities are preparing for potentially violent protests ahead of this Sunday’s Covid referendum, particularly if the polls are correct.

Published: 26 November 2021 11:28 CET
A protester holds up a sign which reads
Switzerland is preparing for potentially violent protest ahead of Sunday's Covid certificate vote. Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Swiss authorities are “worried” that Sunday’s referendum on the country’s Covid measures could become a flashpoint for violence. 

The mood has become increasingly tense over the past few weeks, particularly among opponents to the measures, which includes the country’s controversial Covid certificate. 

Neighbouring Austria and the Netherlands have seen violent protests in recent days, while it was only back in September when Switzerland’s federal palace was attacked. 

Several politicians, including Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset, have received death threats in the lead up to the vote and are currently under increased police protection. 

Bern Security Director Reto Nause said the federal city is preparing for the worst. 

“We are getting ready and we are worried” Nause told Swiss news outlet 20 Minutes. 

“What if the opponents of the Covid law do not accept the democratic result?”

Nause said he saw parallels between the Covid sceptic movement and supporters of former US President Donald Trump, who stormed the US Capitol building in January leading to several deaths including a member of the police force. 

Recent polling indicates the opponents’ challenge to the law will be set to fail by a two-thirds majority. 

READ MORE: : Covid-19 law looks set to win approval of Swiss voters

Bern police have also indicated they are ready for potentially violent riots on the day. 

“We are aware that the vote is an emotional issue, which – regardless of the result – can trigger appropriate reactions,” police spokesperson Patrick Jean said. 

“Based on this assessment, appropriate measures are taken to ensure public order and security.”

While Covid sceptics have held regular rallies since the onset of the pandemic, these have largely been non-violent and have led to few arrests. 

Crime scientist Dirk Baier said he did not expect a violent reaction regardless of the election result, largely because Switzerland has a history of accepting referendum results. 

Given that the opponents have consistently polled much lower than those in favour of the measures, the opponents are correspondingly less likely to cause violence as they are already the underdogs, Baier said. 

“An aggressive mood often arises when people are surprised.”

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POLITICS

Vital Swiss role as US-Iran go-between, as tensions soar

Washington and Tehran have not had diplomatic relations for decades, but before Iran's attack on Israel they had direct communications through "the Swiss channel".

Published: 15 April 2024 23:19 CEST
Vital Swiss role as US-Iran go-between, as tensions soar

Switzerland represents US interests in Iran, and at times of soaring tensions its role as go- between takes on heightened importance.

The Swiss foreign ministry refused Monday to divulge what actions the country had taken in connection with Iran’s weekend attack on Israel.

But US and Iranian officials alluded to the important role Switzerland was playing as an intermediary.

As Washington engaged in whirlwind efforts prior to the attack to prepare for the expected violence, it sent “a series of direct communications through the Swiss channel”, a senior administration official told AFP.

Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian armed forces’ chief of staff, was more explicit, telling state television that “we sent a message to America through the Swiss embassy that if it cooperates with Israel in their next potential actions, their bases will not be secure”.

 Maintaining relations 

Switzerland, renowned for its neutrality, has been representing US interests in Iran since Washington broke off relations with Tehran after the 1980 hostage crisis, a year after the Iranian revolution.

In its role as the so-called protecting power, Switzerland has for decades allowed the two feuding nations to maintain a minimum of diplomatic and consular relations.

The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles all consular affairs between the United States and Iran, including passport requests, altering civil status and consular protection for US citizens in Iran.

Under the protecting power mandate, Switzerland allows “states to maintain low-level relations and provide consular protection to nationals of the other state concerned”, the foreign ministry explains on its website.

“Switzerland can either offer to act as a go-between on its own initiative or can fulfil this function at the request of the parties concerned, provided that all those involved agree,” it added.

Switzerland has often had to play the go-between role.

The country has on several occasions in recent years mediated in prisoner exchanges between Iran and the United States.

Iran’s interests in the United States are meanwhile represented by Pakistan.

Switzerland also exercises a range of other protecting power mandates.

It represents Iran’s interests in Egypt and Canada.

And it represented Iran’s interests in Saudi Arabia for five years before the two countries resumed diplomatic relations last year.

Saudi has not yet formally terminated Switzerland’s protecting power mandate, so Bern still handles its consular services in Iran.

And until 2015, it represented US interests in Cuba and Cuban interests in the United States.

Switzerland first acted as a protecting power in the 19th century. It looked after the interests of the Kingdom of Bavaria and the Grand Duchy of Baden in France during the 1870-71 Franco- Prussian War.

During World War II, Switzerland’s neutral status paved the way for it to be the main protecting power, representing the interests of 35 states, including the major warring powers, with more than 200 individual mandates.

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