Geneva Green MP Antonio Hodgers will take to the Ruetli meadow later today to deliver the main speech on this Swiss National Day.

He’s the first naturalized Swiss and member of the Green party to do so.Some politicians have already delivered their thoughts on August 1.

Speaking in the canton of Fribourg last night, Interior Minister Alain Berset said that Switzerland needs to reform its social security system without putting pressure on its citizens.

Tackling the issue of Swiss-EU relations, Berset said the fate of Europe is also Switzerland’s.

Defense Minister Ueli Maurer used his speech to defend Switzerland’s sovereignty.

He said outside pressure on Switzerland’s independence is not weakening and slammed automatic adoption of EU law. 

Fribourg Senator Urs Schwaller used Swiss cyclist Fabian Cancellera’s crash at the Olympic Games as a metaphor:

He said everything is going well for Switzerland but the country must be careful not to miss a turn.

All Federal councillors will make a speech, except minister of the economy Johann Schneider-Amman.