OLMA piglet becomes first Swiss citizen to tell the Federal Council openly what everyone is thinking
Held by the Swiss president as he gently tried to calm her, four-week-old Rösli squealed without pause. Experts call it the first sincere feedback Bern has received since 1848.
ST. GALLEN. Swiss President Guy Parmelin opened the OLMA agricultural fair on Thursday holding Rösli, a four-week-old piglet, in his arms. For the entire video, he gently tried to calm her. For the entire video, Rösli squealed.
Video by @ParmelinG on X: accept cookies to display it, or view it on X.
Experts say it is the first honest feedback the Federal Council has ever received from a member of the public.
“Since 1848, Swiss citizens have answered their government with ’that’s fine’ or a polite silence,” said a political scientist in Lausanne. “Rösli said exactly what was on her mind, at the top of her lungs, without even introducing herself.”
The Federal Council’s proven method (reassuring hands, fatherly tone, everything is going to be fine) had no effect. The more she was soothed, the louder she got. “That’s how we’ve always spoken to the country, softly, with a firm hold,” said a former federal usher. “Usually the country goes quiet.”
Reached in her straw, Rösli confirmed her position: “Eeeeeeeeeek.”
Several thousand people online said they agreed completely, but would rather not say so that loudly.
French-speaking Switzerland says it finally feels represented.
Le Cardon is a satirical paper. This article is fiction.