Consensus at the heart of the democracy dialogue with South Africa
The first democracy dialogue between Switzerland and South Africa was opened in Pretoria on 4 June 2026 by the state secretary of the FDFA, Alexandre Fasel, and the deputy foreign minister of South Africa, Alvin Botes. The focus was on exchanging views on the strengths, tensions and challenges of their respective democratic systems. Particular attention was given to consensus-oriented politics, which is of great importance in both countries.
On 4 June 2026, the state secretary of the FDFA, Alexandre Fasel, and the deputy foreign minister of South Africa, Alvin Botes, met for the first democracy dialogue between Switzerland and South Africa. A letter of intent signed by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and the South African foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, in October 2025 forms the basis for the new structured cooperation to strengthen democratic resilience.
Democracy dialogue with South Africa
Democracies around the world are under considerable pressure. Increasing polarisation, dwindling trust in institutions and a progressive erosion of democratic principles such as the separation of powers and freedom of expression can be observed globally. The preservation of democratic principles requires cooperation between democracies. This was also emphasised by Mr Fasel in Pretoria: “Effective democracy promotion today requires partnerships on an equal footing; we must leave behind the traditional donor–recipient way of thinking and instead focus on genuine cooperation between democracies.”
Democracies and new challenges
The first exchange with South Africa focused on consensus-oriented politics, which is of great importance in both countries. While Switzerland has functioned as a multi-party system since the post-war period, democracy by consensus was crucial for a peaceful transition after apartheid in South Africa.
A consensus-based democracy makes it possible to involve different population groups in political decision-making processes, defuse conflicts and strengthen the protection of minorities and political stability.
However, consensus-based democracy in both Switzerland and South Africa is facing growing difficulties. Two political scientists from the respective countries summarised the challenges during the dialogue. In Switzerland, for example, a growing political polarisation can be observed, which makes cooperative decision-making more difficult. In South Africa, which following the 2024 elections will be governed by a multi-party coalition for the first time since the end of apartheid, consensus and coalition building pose new challenges. In particular, there is often a lack of well-established internal mechanisms for decision-making and conflict resolution, which are central to consensus-based politics.
Dialogue among democracies provides an opportunity to discuss the strengths, tensions and challenges of their own democratic systems, with a focus on consensus-based politics, and to develop joint activities where there is interest. South Africa can thus contribute its experience of democratic transformation after conflict and the development of its multi-party democracy. Switzerland in turn can contribute its experience, characterised by its long-standing institutional stability and established consensus mechanisms.
Diplomacy for democracy
The democracy dialogue with South Africa is part of Switzerland's policy of diplomacy for democracy, which aims to strengthen the resilience of democratic systems. Authoritarian governments attempt to undermine democratic principles through disinformation, economic pressure and/or the suppression of dissidents. A decline in democracy poses a threat to international law and to stable, peaceful societies in which free and fair elections, freedom of expression, protection of minorities and an independent judiciary are guaranteed. A counterweight to autocratic mobilisation can be formed by expanding the networks of established and functioning democratic states and building on pro-democratic cooperation.
In 2025, Switzerland launched its first guidelines on democracy. These are intended to ensure that Swiss democracy promotion abroad is adapted to the challenges and realities of our time. The guidelines focus on diplomacy for democracy and the need to make more systematic use of traditional diplomatic instruments such as bilateral and multilateral dialogue, networks and good offices.
Bilateral relations between Switzerland and South Africa
In addition to the strong economic cooperation between Switzerland and South Africa, which is carried out on the Swiss side by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), there is also cooperation in the area of peace mediation in the region as well as regular dialogue on human rights. This cooperation highlights the commitment of both countries to democracy, peace processes and the strengthening of human rights.
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Contact
General Secretariat GS-FDFA
Federal Palace West
3003 Bern