New motion pushes Swiss ministers to ditch English

A new proposal passing through the Swiss parliament would push officials to not use English during governmental and international meetings. While supporters argue the move will help halt the “Americanisation” of global politics, the Federal Council has called the idea “absurd”.

Swiss federal ministers told to ditch English in official interactions

According to the motion, submitted by Social Democratic Party National Councillor Carlo Sommaruga, ministers would be “invited to maintain the official Swiss languages ​​as working languages ​​with international institutions and organisations”. The proposal was accepted by the National Council with 93 votes to 81 on June 4, and will now be sent to the executive for approval.

The bill was proposed following the news that, for the first time, the government would use English instead of French in its reports to the Financial Action Task Force, despite the global body having French as one of its official languages. 

Using English is costly and poses a security risk, say supporters

“Our country boasts a linguistic richness uncommon in Europe, with four national languages, including French, which is widely spoken worldwide. There is no justification for setting aside French,” the motion read. "We are all witnessing the advancement of English in all areas and a form of Americanisation spreading in international arenas," Swiss People’s Party National Councillor Jean-Luc Addor told 20 Minuten.

Sommaruga argued that Switzerland is invested in preserving French as a language of international relations. He also warned that having to translate Swiss official documents would create unnecessary cost and bureaucracy, may force government employees to learn English and could pose a security risk if documents are not translated correctly.

Opponents call the plan unserious and absurd

In response, the President of Switzerland and Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP) called the idea “absurd”. "I could no longer speak English with the Danish Prime Minister or the EU High Representative," she exclaimed, adding that while international organisations do use multiple languages, and using French should be preserved, using English allows for faster communication with more people, which allows Switzerland’s voice to be heard.

“While Switzerland can speak in a national language and be understood by all present at these meetings, this is not the case in the majority of negotiations and technical discussions, preparatory meetings, and informal contacts with other delegations…It is therefore essential that Switzerland be able to use English in a targeted and professional manner to defend its interests,” the official Federal Council response read.

"Even the president of the Swiss National Bank would no longer be able to speak English at the annual meeting of the IMF or the World Bank. An interpreter would have to be hired at great expense. This can’t be serious," Centre Party National Councillor Nicolò Paganini concluded.