Can Greta’s generation make a mark on Swiss politics?

Protests over climate change have recently energised Swiss youth, who have taken to the streets numerous times over the past several months. But increased youth involvement in Swiss politics has been underway for a while. The young climate activists rallied behind Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist who staged protests outside Swedish parliament for more than six months and has become a global phenomenon. Such political participation by the young generation is most welcome. The liberal think-tank Avenir Suisse sounded alarm bells some time ago with a report entitled, “Are we about to become a gerontocracy?” Currently, the average voter in Switzerland is 57 years old, the think-tank reports; he or she will be 60 on average in 2030. An ageing society with ageing voters inevitably has an impact on political decisions. While political participation is primarily defined by education and gender in other parts of the world, it is a unique and inglorious Swiss characteristic ...