On March 3, 2002, 54.6% of citizens voted in favor of Switzerland's accession to the UN, the necessary majority of the cantons was reached narrowly, 12 to 11, decisive are a few hundred ballots in Lucerne and Valais.The result is the fruit of a popular initiative.The sovereign had already pronounced himself once in 1986 and had then clearly rejected - 75.7% of "no" - the proposal put forward by the Government and Parliament.Twenty years later, the role of the Confederation in the United Nations is returning to the center of attention.The reason is the Swiss candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, the executive body of the UN.It was already filed in 2011 but the vote of the General Assembly in New York is scheduled for 9 June and the chances of election are excellent: two seats reserved for Western European countries are vacant and there are currently only two candidates.The other is Malta.The candidacy is an important goal of the 2020-2023 foreign policy strategy.The two-year term would begin in January 2023, after three months as an observer country.The Swiss ambition does not arouse debate at the international level, where it is indeed frowned upon.There are conflicting opinions on the other hand in Switzerland, where the UDC has so far tried unsuccessfully to induce the federal authorities to reverse the course, in particular in the name of the armed neutrality of the Confederation inscribed in the Constitution, which at this time has also assumed particular relevance. in light of the war in Ukraine.But what are the arguments for and which are against Switzerland's membership of the Security Council?In 11 years, the world has changed, Micheline Calmy-Rey told SonntagsZeitung.She led the FDFA when the candidacy was filed and she remains convinced of this step.The topic was also discussed in today's episode of Modem."New powers have emerged", changes have led to "new conflicts", while "the United States is no longer willing to assume the costs of the role of world leader. Their priority is China".In the face of the erosion of multilateralism, according to the Geneva socialist, there is an increasing need for countries that can play a role of neutral mediation."It is a challenge and an opportunity. With a healthy dose of realism, but also the necessary confidence in our abilities, we can make a contribution to peace, justice and stability in the world" and take on a role of "bridge builders" , added Calmy-Rey interviewed by Swissinfo.Joining the Security Council is compatible with neutrality and would even be beneficial to good offices, argues the head of the UN Division of the FDFA, Frank Grütter.Neutrality means that Switzerland cannot participate in acts of war or join a military alliance such as NATO, he explained to the media on March 1, and in this sense there would be no obligations.The Security Council is not a party to conflicts, it makes decisions, but the members are not required to participate in their implementation (to respect them yes, but this also applies to non-members).Switzerland would therefore not be obliged "to send troops to a country in crisis".On the other hand, even a neutral state can oppose violations of international law and the Ukrainian conflict has shown that "we must take a stand in one way or another".The resumption of sanctions against Russia has pushed Moscow - we remember it - to put Switzerland on a black list of "hostile countries".Membership in the Security Council would strengthen the diplomatic role of the Confederation - Grütter later argued - because his statements would have more weight and would be closer to the dossiers and to those who make decisions.Organizing international conferences in Switzerland would be easier.Bern explained in its candidacy grounds that it would prioritize compliance with international and humanitarian law, as well as conflict prevention.The slogan chosen is, not surprisingly, "A plus for peace" ("A more for peace", where the mathematical symbol also recalls the cross of the flag).The "International Geneva" was born in 1920 with the League of Nations, daughter of the Treaty of Versailles after the end of the First World War.The Society, of which Switzerland was a part, had a short life: unable to prevent the events that led to the Second World War, it was dissolved at the end of the same after the birth of the UN.Switzerland remained aloof from the latter for over 50 years, but this did not prevent Geneva from being the European headquarters of the United Nations and hosting 36 international organizations (such as the WHO), around 700 non-governmental organizations and 180 representations diplomatic.A total, according to 2019 figures, of almost 34,000 people.Furthermore, Geneva has remained an important center for international summits, most recently that of last year between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin.However, even among diplomats, the most directly interested, opinions are not unanimous.According to Paul Widmer, for example, the Confederation would often be forced to choose which side to take.If it fails to do so, the Security Council will be further weakened, but doing so will damage its role as mediator in international conflicts.Furthermore, it would risk being the target of direct or indirect retaliation, which could affect economic exchanges or good offices.Finally, the position of international Geneva, far from being strengthened, would risk weakening.Finally, it cannot be ruled out that the humanitarian work of the ICRC, which is based in Switzerland, is also hampered.Jenö Staehelin, a Basel jurist for a long time employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, for years before joining the UN observer for Switzerland and finally his first ambassador to the United Nations, also sees dangers.Asked in 2020 by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, she underlined not only the gain in terms of influence, but also the risks of becoming the object of pressure from the great powers.In the face of possible economic consequences, would Switzerland be able to uphold its principles?The UN Security CouncilThe United Nations Security Council "has the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security" as defined by the UN itself.It has 15 members (here the current ones), 5 of which are permanent: United States, Russia, China, France and Great Britain, a composition that largely reflects the balances that emerged from the Second World War.The West and the North of the world are over-represented, large states like India or Brazil are absent.The other 10 seats are assigned on a geographical basis for two years, each year they are renewed 5. About fifty member countries have never been members of the Council.The adoption of a resolution requires 9 votes provided that none of the permanent members make use of the right of veto in defense of their own interests or those of allies.From the 1970s to today, the tool has been used most of all by Washington, which uses it systematically against any condemnation of the Israeli work in Palestine.Russia, France and China have exercised this power sparingly, but Moscow has resorted to it more often in the last ten years with regard to the conflicts it involves (Georgia, Syria, Ukraine).Finally, the United Kingdom did so often but especially in the 60s and 70s.The right of veto, like the composition of the Council, are among the central themes of a possible reform of the body.It has been on the agenda for over 40 years, with no appreciable results.Switzerland also supported the need for reform and participated in the work.The National Assembly rejected the UDC motion requesting the withdrawal of the Confederation from the race for a seat on the Security CouncilThe police: hit at least three people.At the moment the conditions of the victims are not knownThe running-in phase in the 27 km loop straddling the Franco-Swiss border will be completed by JulyThe 40-year-old had criticized the military offensive in Ukraine - Sinking of the Moskva: the official budget of the Kremlin speaks of 1 dead and 27 missingAppeal to the Federal Council and the Parliament of politicians and members of associations and trade unions: "This way we can weaken the war machine in Moscow"On World Earth Day you will be presenting solutions to save the planet: one comes from the botanical garden of NeuchâtelThe entertainment company will lose its special status after criticizing a law restricting LGBT debate in schoolsThe girl disappeared in 2007 in Portugal.Today the Portuguese authorities accuse a German repeat offender of the murder.The press: "She confessed to a friend"Tusker is the new star of the Basel zoo, he enjoys balancing tree trunks, as if they were mikadoWar in Ukraine: the UN secretary general will travel to Moscow to meet the Russian presidentThe level of the lake has never been so low - The dry boats cannot get out on the Ceresio - Will the rain in the next few days be enough?The phenomenon of "rossobrunism" is emerging more and more often, even in the face of the war in Ukraine - An interview with the expertExperts: Mental health at risk for 10% of people fleeing war.Already 500 therapists have responded to the national appeal.Ticino organizes ad hoc aidA tour of some of the most popular places for visitors: from Monte Tamaro to Locarno, from the Brissago Islands to Monte LemaOn 15 May the capital will be colored with black and white for the Swiss cup final between Lugano and San GallloThe Italian lawyer, residing in Ticino, will also be expelled from Switzerland for 7 years.He was accused of embezzling about a million francsThe Maranello house recalls the 458 and 488 models worldwideA senior Russian commander spoke of the military objectives of the second phase of the war, also citing MoldovaAlso 2022 will have its own edition of the musical event: appointment in Lugano, at the end of August, as part of Blues To BopDocumented summary execution of at least 50 civilians in the town near KievRationing during the night - The secretary Paolo Maddalena: "We must pay attention to the excessive use of water"RSI Italian-speaking Swiss Radio and Television, branch of the Swiss Radio and Television Society