Leading lads and ladies wanted
Amherd's successor doesn't show, WEF fresh faces and one stark statistic
Dear Insider,
Showing up for the ‘big dance’ is not optional.
That, at least, is the attitude of most Davos regulars, the ones who gathered (yet again) in the mountain town to network and hash out the world’s problems.
Some people did stay away, however. Emmanual Macron was absent. So were high-ranking US officials.
Donald Trump got his facetime - but only remotely.
However, some new personalities stepped onto the stage - and did very well for themselves.
Closer to home, there is one dance that no one seemingly wants to take…
Read on to find out who is skipping out…
Enjoy,
Ian
💡PS: Let’s connect with me on LinkedIn and on X - I would be interested to know what other Swiss insights you will find valuable.
A battle ‘not to be’
Turns out, being ‘in charge’ isn’t so popular.
After Viola Amherd’s recent resignation announcement, the discussion has begun within the Die Mitte party about her replacement.
Surprisingly, very few people want the job.
(Now) former party president Gerhard Pfister ruled out stepping into Amherd’s shoes in a lengthy NZZ interview just last week.
Meanwhile, Philipp Matthias Bregy, the Mitte parliamentary group leader has also declined to stand for the post.
Other “no’s” include:
Benedikt Würth: The St. Gallen Council of States member has opted out of the race.
Isabelle Chassot: The Fribourg Council of States member is not interested.
Martin Candinas: The former National Council president has also declined to stand.
The one prominent “maybe” comes has come from Markus Ritter, the president of the Swiss Farmer’s Association.
His most prominent downside? Being from St Gallen - the same canton as current Federal Councillor and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter.
Who knows (Swiss) crypto law best?
Lawyers are a dime a dozen…
Most of them anyway. Even with a speciality - tax, capital markets, M&A - there are usually more than enough to go around.
But…some select few legal firms in Switzerland have a unique niche - crypto and blockchain.
🛑 Tough luck
For some people, 2024 was not a good year to come to Switzerland.
According to official statistics released from the State Secretariat for Migration, the number of rejected asylum seekers rose by 18.5% over the past year.
In absolute terms that means that 7,205 rejected asylum seekers departed Switzerland, up from 6,077 in 2023.
This rise follows Switzerland's more concerted efforts to expedite the removal process for individuals without legal residency rights - in part through closer cooperation with neighbouring countries, including Italy.
Meanwhile, the previous year (2023) saw a dramatic 23.3% jump from 2022.
The Insider Perspective
💡 Immigration has been a hot topic in Switzerland for some years already. The “Stop 10 million Switzerland” campaign waged by SVP in the 2023 legislative elections is an excellent example.
💡With the Justice Department - and by extension the asylum topic - in the hands of Beat Jans, Socialist Party Federal Councillor from Basel, the confrontation between his more liberal stance and the calls for a “tougher” hand from the right.
💡Immigration and asylum are not topics that Switzerland can handle entirely by itself - despite what SVP would maintain. Negotiations with neighbours such as Italy, where many asylum seekers enter the European continent are key.
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The Davos men (of the hour)
The World Economic Forum returned to Switzerland this week - and despite a changing world, much was the same.
Global big-wigs, crowded panel chit-chats and salt-spattered boots combined with business suits - Davos had it all, as usual.
But against a backdrop of Donald Trump’s return and the uncertainty it created, there were a few clear “winners” at this year’s Annual Meeting.
The princes of the dessert
Whether it was the Dubai chocolate being handed out on the Promenade, or the flashy Invest Qatar building, the Middle East was well represented in Davos.
The message?
We have money…come give more of yours.
Smack in the middle of the busy center, a long low storefront was converted into a dazzling showcase for Neom, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic “city in the desert” project.
For number of locations in the officially allocated venue spaces, only Indian-focused pavilions were anywhere as numerous.
The steady Finn
As geopolitical topics took enter stage - and with a prospect of a feisty 2nd Trump term on the horizon - one European stood tall on the global stage in Davos: Finnish President Alexander Stubb
The lanky, blond-haired former prime minister, finance minister and foreign minister made the rounds of nearly every major (American) news outlet - conducting a total of 11 interviews in total.
With a straightforward message of pragmatism, praise for Trump’s focus increased European defence spending - and a surgically precise delivery in every single interview - Stubb was clearly the chosen “front man” for NATO and the European Union in Davos.
It certainly helped that Finland has one of the largest armies in Europe…
Also ran..
While Swiss politicians were typically low-key, two major events highlighted the significance of Davos for Switzerland this year:
SNB President Martin Schlegel made it clear that Switzerland is vulnerable to potential tariffs from the US and other countries. At the same time, he sent a strong message of “intervention readiness” to support the Swiss franc.
Federal Councillor and Economy Minister Guy Parmelin (along with representatives of the European Free Trade Association) signed a new free trade agreement with Thailand.
A Chart is Worth…
When it comes to free trade agreements (FTA), Switzerland has a wide range of free-trade agreements in place. Some (bigger ones) are still missing…
The Bonus
👋🏻 Saying good-bye - Financial difficulties and continued controversy over its future have led Swiss Steel to announce its impending delisting from the SIX Swiss Exchange. (Link)
🍫 Standing down - Snack machine operator Selecta faces new challenges as its modernization program racks up costs and Moody’s downgrades the company’s rating (Link)
🐶 No seekers - Swiss mountain rescuers are alarmed at the falling number of volunteers to help train avalanche seeker dogs, key helpers to find hikers under the snow. (Link)