Letters: Is Switzerland democratic?

The Swiss can hardly be described as democratic. Only a few decades ago women were not allowed to vote there. The Swiss are also not very hospitable – except maybe to money.

Until recently, they rejected even other Europeans, the EU, Schengen etc. The Swiss have been in fact xenophobic and ultranationalists since the legendary hero with a crossbow expelled his neighbors. But they are also very materialistic and have been very welcoming to money from the Nazis, all kind of third-world dictators, dirty money from drugs and prostitution, bank swindlers and swindling bankers etc.

A constitutional minaret ban is simply ridiculous from a legal perspective and therefore has no place in a constitutional democracy and the state of law.

A higher European court is bound to pronounce it unconstitutional and discriminating, because it obviously targets a specific community — unless the ban involves the building of all towers (also those of churches) next to buildings used for religious gatherings and services.

That most Islamic countries are far more intolerant is beside the point. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Maybe what is Switzerland’s favor is that many wealthy Arabs and Muslims have estates and (hidden) savings in Switzerland.

Maybe that’s why it has been so quiet on this issue (no riots, raids, attacks on embassies etc.) compared to the French ban of religious symbols in public schools or the Danish cartoons, while obviously the Swiss minaret ban is far worse and would justify strong protests from Muslims and their sympathizers.

Paolo L Scalpini
Toulouse, France