Junge Mitte (D) / Jeunes du Centre (F) / Giovani del Centro (I) / il Giuven Center (R) Switzerland: Together we are stronger
Bern, the Federal capital, very heart of Swiss democracy. Under the dome of the Parliament Building, surrounded by the Cantons’ coats of arms, towers the Swiss cross alongside the Latin words: unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno – one for all, all for one. This verse summarises the founding spirit of our Confederation: the decision taken by twenty-six sovereign States to overcome their deep differences and face the world side by side. However, with several national languages and cultures daily spoken and lived, densely populated economic hubs right next to rural landscapes, snowy high mountains splitting our territory, some may say we couldn’t be more divided… yet, after 735 years, we still stand together.
Even if lot has changed throughout this centuries-long history, on that same principle of unity lays today the identity of our party. According to its founding values, Liberty, Responsibility and Solidarity, JM consider Switzerland’s diversity as a strength, an example valuable far beyond our borders. With over 3200 members from the four corners of the country and hundreds of elected officials at every level, we promote a far-sighted, competent and courageous political philosophy, offering a coherent and constructive approach to the issues of today and the challenges of tomorrow. From climate change to rearm, from healthcare to immigration, the topics we deal with are not left- or right-wing, but rather in need of concrete solutions. As our society urgently demands stability and cohesion, we choose dialogue over polarisation, compromise over ideology; in an era of division, we choose to bring people back together. This, we believe, is the best way to serve and protect our democracy.
And well… it’s working! After officially changing name to a more inclusive “The Centre” in 2021, the mother party managed to keep or even improve its position across the country, ending a negative trend started in the late ‘70s. After finishing at the fourth place in the 2023 Federal elections (where our youth movement resulted the most voted in seven Cantons), it is currently contending for the third place in national politics. On the other hand, the coexistence of different currents and sensibilities within our structures, allows us to cooperate with most forces across the political spectrum and to play a decisive role in multiple contexts. 2027 will be a crucial year to confirm this process and hopefully regain the second government seat, lost in 2003.
According to the so-called magic formula (i.e. the partition of the seven executive seats in the Federal Council among the four main parties) we currently lead the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport with all its complex but crucial dossiers. The significance of this responsibility grows daily, along with the rapid and dramatic developments in global geopolitical balances. Many questions rise in such a complicate scenario: how can neutrality, pillar of Swiss identity and democracy, fit into this new world (dis)order?
Despite populist claims, isolationism is no sustainable option: throughout the decades, cooperation and multilateralism provided indeed unmatched wealth and security to our country, which we proudly see as a stronghold of freedom, justice, and international law. Sovereign and open to the world, Switzerland keeps exporting high-value, specialized goods and minds everywhere they are required. The bilateral way started over twenty years ago with the European Union, by far our closest partner, must continue with the common goal of securing peace and prosperity in our Continent. This shall be our commitment to future generations.
We remember the example of our founding fathers and mothers, who chose courage over fear. We can’t forget that what unites us is more important than what divides us. We can’t let evil blind us. If Europe and its peoples choose to stand side by side, they will discover to be way stronger than anyone expected. If we stand together, light will prevail.
By Gregorio Aostalli, Co-International Secretary JM Switzerland
