Albert Rösti: "With Transports'45, French-Speaking Switzerland is Not Disadvantaged"

Federal Councilor Albert Rösti has defended his "Transports'45" project, which was released for consultation last week, against criticism that it disadvantages French-speaking Switzerland. Meeting climate activists in Lucerne on Wednesday, Rösti addressed accusations of "railway decoupling" leveled by the Romandie region.

The UDC councilor from Bern asserted that Western Switzerland is not being left behind in future railway investments. However, his visit to Lucerne was met with a protest by about fifteen activists from the climate organization Drop Kollektiv. They demonstrated as he exited the train station, criticizing his policies which they claim favor nuclear power and highway expansion amid a heatwave across Europe and Switzerland.

Despite the protest, Rösti maintained a calm demeanor. "I am a federal councilor; it's not a job where you can only listen to people who say you are doing a good job," he remarked, indicating his readiness to engage with diverse opinions on his transportation and energy strategies.

“

I am a federal councilor; it's not a job where you can only listen to people who say you are doing a good job.