High-level visit

2015 was the last time that a President of the French Republic made a state visit. Eight years later, Emmanuel Macron was in Switzerland for two days. fedpol was in charge of security for the visit, during which President Macron travelled from Bern to Geneva, stopping in Lausanne.

Day one at Belp Airport looked good – the skies were clear and the weather was mild for November – ideal for welcoming President Macron and his wife Brigitte. The tarmac was abuzz with activity, and no detail was left to chance. Shortly before the presidential aircraft landed, there was a final briefing to make sure everything was under control. The Swiss President, Alain Berset, and his wife Muriel welcomed the French presidential couple. The tone was friendly, the atmosphere relaxed.

A Bern Cantonal Police vehicle led the convoy heading for the Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern. As the cars from the Swiss police and French security forces drove by, passers-by stopped to give the presidents a welcoming wave. Other onlookers took pictures.

«A state visit is the biggest type of formal visit in Switzerland. The programme for state visits is meticulously planned and coordinated with all the police forces involved. As the Commissioner for Protective Security, I need to keep a close eye on everything and keep track of even the smallest deviation from the programme.»

Adriano, commissioner of the Protective Security Division

Restricted access: the streets around the Federal Palace were closed. fedpol and the Bern Cantonal Police had set up access points and were controlling entry. The entire Federal Council was there to receive the French President and his wife in front of the Federal Palace. After military honours and a walkabout, the official programme continued, as did the police operation.

Day two began in Lausanne. For fedpol, coordination and communication were the keywords. The Bern Cantonal Police passed the baton to their colleagues in the canton of Vaud. Plans included a conference on Europe with students from the University of Lausanne and a visit to the Jean Monnet Foundation. An unauthorised demonstration was being held there, with people wanting to protest about the conflict in the Middle East. Freedom of expression was not challenged, but nothing escaped the attention of fedpol and the Vaud Cantonal Police: they were ready to act and react.

Geneva was the next stop that day. The delegations travelled there by train, which does not pose any less of a risk. Security was adapted accordingly. The Geneva Cantonal Police took responsibility for the security of the delegations on their trip from the airport to CERN for a visit and for the departure of the presidential aircraft. That brought the operation to an end for fedpol and the cantonal police forces from Bern, Vaud and Geneva. Mission accomplished, with no major incidents.