The security staff will be reinforced around the WEF
Due to the absence of snow, additional fences have been provided. Response forces will monitor several side valleys.
Demonstration of security arrangements after a police and military press conference ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, May 20, 2022.
PE EPO/GIAN EHRENZELLER
The holding of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the middle of May in Davos (GR) creates new security risks. The snow does not hinder access as in the usual editions in January. Additional fences have therefore been installed and the intervention forces must monitor several side valleys.
One more military company
A total of 5,000 soldiers and police from the 26 cantons will be hard at work. The event mobilizes a company more than usual, in winter, said the divisional of the army Lucas Caduff. These troops monitor the accesses that the snow no longer hinders.
This measure is accompanied by the installation of additional mesh barriers in fields and on roads. In addition, army drones monitor the side valleys.
Costs for the army: 32 million
The costs of this engagement of the army reached 32 million francs. This sum does not exceed the ordinary budget of the Confederation for the WEF. The military workforce is notably composed of members of the army who perform their rehearsal course moved geographically for the occasion.
Terrorism, sabotage, attacks on sensitive infrastructure and cybercrime are the main threats, emphasizes Walter Schlegel. “Switzerland is not an island of security”, underlines the Caduff divisionaire. The airspace is therefore temporarily restricted over Davos. Anti-aircraft troops, fighter planes and army transport helicopters are mobilized.
Additional costs
In addition, the Flüela Pass will be closed to traffic from Saturday until Ascension Thursday. In addition, the landing place for the helicopters had to be moved, the ground not being as firm in the spring as in the winter.
In total, the security costs increased by 4 million francs compared to a normal edition of the forum. This increase is jointly covered by the Confederation and the canton of Graubünden. The police force is estimated at 9 million francs. The final costs will only be known after the event, says Walter Schlegel.
More protesters than expected?
Protest demonstrations may attract more people than expected or allowed. On Saturday, a “climate hike” is to start from Küblis (GR). On Sunday, the hikers will march from Klosters (GR) to Davos, where they will demonstrate with members of the Swiss Socialist Youth.
Monday afternoon, about forty demonstrators must gather in support of the Cambodian Prime Minister. On Thursday, the last day of the WEF, the Davos section of the Climate Strike is organizing a gathering of around 500 people.
Ukraine at the heart of the WEF
The war in Ukraine is also giving a hard time in terms of security. The conference of security directors of the cantons of eastern Switzerland expressed its reservations in April. In the event of an incident, Switzerland’s reputation would suffer, the Minister of Appenzell-Ausserrhoden Hansueli Reutegger told Keystone-ATS at the time.
The situation in Ukraine is at the heart of this annual meeting of the WEF. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to deliver a speech via videoconference. The mayor of kyiv, Vitali Klitchko, must go to Davos, as well as the Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, probably.
No elected Russian has been invited. The WEF froze its relations with Russian institutions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In addition, it no longer cooperates with Russian persons or institutions hit by sanctions.
Posted today at 1:18 p.m.
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