A Weekend of Notable Events

Geneva is usually a pretty laid-back place. Too laid back, some would say. This past weekend, however, saw not one, not two, but three events of note occur in this fair city. One was the result of a national referendum, one the result of a local referendum, and one the result of the decision by a Geneva “resident” to hold a meeting here.

On Sunday, the Swiss voted solidly–against the hopes of the Federal council–to ban the construction of new minarets anywhere in the country. This ban will become part of the Swiss constitution, and in order for it to be passed, it had to receive a majority of “yeses” from individual voters country-wide, as well as from a majority of cantons. It satisfied both those requirements, and not by razor-thin margins. It’s already proved to be a controversial decision worldwide, and while its supporters hail it as a vote for religious freedom, there are plenty of people who see it as a choice for religious bigotry. I have a feeling we’re far from seeing the end of this issue. For its part, the canton of Geneva voted against the ban (about 59 percent said no). Ironically, Geneva chose to allow the display of the controversial posters urging passage of the item, on the grounds of free speech. Many other cities ordered them removed.

Also on Sunday, residents of Geneva canton voted–after, according to the Tribune de Genève, a century (!) of discussion–to allow the construction of a rail line between the city of Annemasse, France and the Cornavin train station (Geneva’s main rail station). Right now, rail links between Geneva and the French regions of the Haute-Savoie along the south bank of Lake Geneva are infrequent and awkward–meaning most people who live there and travel to Geneva for work or pleasure elect to drive. The new rail line would allow travelers to go from Annemasse to Cornavin in 20 minutes. Construction won’t be completed until 2016–but, given the tremendous growth in the bassin Lémanique and in the concommitant number of vehicles–it should help to alleviate the numerous traffic tie-ups that are all to common right now. And the air quality certainly won’t suffer for it.

And on Saturday, what was to be a peaceful demonstration against the World Trade Organization (WTO), headquartered in Geneva and now holding its biennial ministerial, turned into a car-burning, window-smashing riot fueled by a clash between police and a rather active minority of protestors. (Wisely, Mr. Expat and I elected to get out of town the night before, so all my information comes from the media). But it appears that many of the businesses in areas I frequent, including one of “my” Starbucks, suffered damage as a result of the violence. What a shame. Once again the hopes of the many to express–strongly but respectfully–their concerns about an issue see their message degraded by the few who just want to bust heads.

A lot of activity for one weekend…

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