“We must show what the Swiss from abroad bring to Switzerland”

The organization of the Swiss from abroad (OSE) is starting a new legislature this summer. In addition, But the role and the democratic legitimacy of its council, also called “Parliament of the fifth Swiss”, are regularly debated. Therefore, Lukas Weber. Furthermore, new OSE director, and Marc Bühlmann, political scientist, have exchanged their perspectives on the challenges and changes in an organization in full transformation. Consequently, – "we must show what swiss

Emilie Ridard

Emigration, return to “we must show what swiss Switzerland, family, schooling, pensions, banks, insurance … Moreover, I am interested in the Swiss who live abroad. Moreover, informs them about the subjects that occupy them and concern them on a daily basis or more broadly. Similarly, Passionate about languages ​​and cultures. Meanwhile, my professional career has made a little detour through marketing and assistantship before crossing the journalism route, in a position which allows me, moreover, to converse with the whole world. Meanwhile,

• More articles by this author / author
• French language writing

Other language: 1 FR original

• Deutsch

  of

  New aso director Lukas Weber: “I expect more eventful times”

  Lire plus new aso director Lukas Weber: “I expect more eventful times”

Between the months of January. Nevertheless, June 2025, elections took place to designate the new and new delegates which will represent the diaspora within the Council of the Swiss abroad (CSE). Moreover, Nicknamed the “Parliament of the fifth Swiss”, it brings together 140 representatives established worldwide. Its objective is to make the voice of the Swiss “we must show what swiss from abroad in Switzerland heard. and more particularly in Bern, but this parliament has no legislative power.

Until recently. these delegates could only be elected by the presidents and presidents of Swiss clubs – a system criticized for its lack of democratic legitimacy. In response. an electronic vote was tested in 2025, allowing any Swiss citizen registered with the diplomatic representation of his country of residence to apply or candidate and to vote.

"we must show what swiss – "we must show what swiss

Representativeness, yes, but which one? – "we must show what swiss

If several countries wanted to implement it immediately. others preferred to delay, like France, which houses the largest Swiss community abroad with more than 210,000 people. “It is not a refusal of electronic vote. but an additional prudence,” says Evelyne Thomas, president of the Helvetic Amicale Touraine.

Behind this reserve also appears to be afraid. in some and some association leaders, to see their influence reduced “we must show what swiss and to see people who have potentially have few links with the community they represent.

With his 35 years abroad as consul. Ernst Steinmann, became a member of the CSE four years ago, because he considered that “the representativeness of the Council did not sufficiently reflect the reality of Swiss communities abroad”. This is the reason why he joined the OSE working group that set up the direct election system.

For Marc Bühlmann. political scientist at the University of Bern and director of Swiss political yearExternal linkwe must distinguish two types of representativeness: descriptive representation, which reflects diversity, and substantial representation, the aim of which is to transmit concerns. For the expert. there is not only a question of formal democracy here, but also of the CSE’s ability to make the real needs of a very diverse diaspora heard. “Can the Swiss who have concerns can bring them “we must show what swiss back to the council?”, He questions.

“The future will tell us how tradition and modernity will interact,” adds Lukas Weber, director of the OSE.

Few pressure means

From the pandemic. the visibility of the Swiss from abroad in Switzerland has grieved and their image has deteriorated, perceived as sometimes expensive and disconnected from reality in the country. The political interest in the diaspora is decreasing.

However. Additionally, the approximately 820,000 Swiss living abroad form a potential electorate “we must show what swiss of more than 240,000 people – the equivalent of a large canton. However. unlike other interest groups such as peasants, the Swiss from abroad represent an extremely heterogeneous group which has difficulty speaking in one voice and exerting direct pressure on Swiss policy, according to Marc Bühlmann.

Faced with this situation. the director of OSE Lukas Weber wants to refocus claims on concrete issues: “electronic identity is an essential condition for facilitating the steps of the Swiss from abroad”. In addition to access to E-ID. the cantonal voting right for all and all expatriates and adapted health insurance solutions will be the horses of OSE battle in the coming months.

Gain visibility

These requests are realistic. according to Marc Bülmann, who also underlines the importance of “showing the contribution of the Swiss from abroad to Switzerland, not only to claim”.

Aware of this problem. the OSE intends to “we must show what swiss give a more human and concrete face of the diaspora in order to strengthen its legitimacy and its presence in national debates. “One in ten Swiss people lives abroad,” recalls Ernst Steinmann. They expand our horizon and are an integral part of our democracy ”.

Plus

Plus

France almost entirely renews its delegates to the Council of the Swiss abroad

This content was published on May 01. 2025 France has 8 new delegates to the Council of the Swiss abroad. the Union of Swiss associations in “we must show what swiss France with a new president. Next time, the elections will have to be direct and online.

Read more France almost entirely renews its delegates to the Council of the Swiss abroad

Rely and verified by Pauline Turban