Do the rich create challenges for Swiss democracy?

RTÉ News · RTÉ News · 2026-11-04 09:59 UTC

What role do rich people play in democracy? In the face of growing global inequality, even wealthy people are asking themselves this question.

What role do rich people play in democracy? In the face of growing global inequality, even wealthy people are asking themselves this question.

Rich people and democracy are incompatible – at least, that is the message delivered on stage in Geld ist Klasse (Money is Class) at Theatre Chur in eastern Switzerland. The play is a plea for society to take a more critical view of "over-rich" people and for higher taxes on the wealthiest 1%.

Among those making this demand on stage during the play is the Austrian Marlene Engelhorn. She is the heir of her grandmother, the late billionaire Traudl Engelhorn, who lived in western Switzerland. Marlene Engelhorn is known for giving away €25 million (CHF23.4 million) intended for the common good. The money went to a citizens' assembly, whose members were selected by lot and decided how it should be spent.

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