L'union valaisanne February 18, 2017

A Look at Current Events – Loris S. Musumeci

Sion, Place du Scex, 2:45 p.m.—People from all over Valais had flocked to the square. The call to action had been issued by Socialist teacher Yannick Délitroz. The cause: to bring people together, certainly, but also to express disgust at a SVP poster and opposition to a certain Oskar Freysinger.

About a thousand people gathered. The atmosphere was cheerful and friendly; people uncorked a few bottles of wine to celebrate the occasion and sang local folk songs. Read more Le Matin Dimanche or Le Nouvelliste, nothing seems to be a problem. He even emphasizes the organizer’s remarks, noting several times that this February 18 Appeal is not intended for «against someone», but «for Valais».

This is where the event raises some serious questions. Should hatred of a political party—and of one politician in particular—serve to unite people?

The image of «Maria, a mother, [who] can no longer pay her rent» because «The government pays 650,000 for migrants’ rent» may provoke outrage—either in support of or in opposition to his message. Some are moved by this woman and her situation, while others take offense at the manipulative propaganda. Consequently, the track record of Freysinger, the State Councilor in charge of security and education, is obviously highly questionable. Fewer and fewer people actually support education under the leadership of the SVP minister. The Valais school system is in poor shape; that is a fact.

The fact remains, however, that the person most directly involved in this civic event should not have to bear the brunt of all the canton’s problems. Nor should the conservative right. Other departments are also going through a crisis, starting with the health department. It is up to Waeber-Kalbermatten, a left-wing politician who was present at the historic rally, to take responsibility for this. Yet no personal attacks against her have been organized so far.

In reality, there’s a reason for all this: the socialist from Upper Valais isn’t seen as a «bad guy.» The same goes for all her fellow candidates running for the State Council—with the exception of the three «bad guys» on the “Together on the Right” list.

In the “scapegoat” phenomenon, an individual—or a group—is singled out, excluded, and ultimately insulted in order to be eliminated. That is exactly what happened last Saturday in Sion. Whether the UDC had it coming or deserves it is not the issue; nor is the fact that its members have no place in government. The fact remains that an enemy is being singled out and used as a pawn in the pursuit of one’s own interests.

Yannick Délitroz has carved out a golden path for himself throughout the valley; he is no longer just a simple municipal councilor—he is the new messiah of Free Valais. The left is positioning itself as the knight in shining armor, rallying the other parties behind it to slay the fascist dragon.

In politics, it would be best if one earned one’s stripes not by slandering others, but rather through one’s own hard work. Moreover, in the long run, the PDC and the PLR have nothing to gain from this situation: they will be remembered only as those who followed the dreamers of The Internationale.

Write to the author: loris.musumeci@leregardlibre.com