The Swiss rely on energy imports from France and Germany to get them through winter because dams and reservoirs they rely on for 60 per cent of their power are less productive
Emergency plans drawn up in the event the Swiss are hit by blackouts also call for shop opening hours to be reduced by up to two hours per day, heating systems in nightclubs to be turned off, and other buildings to be heated to no more than 20C.
Comment: It was only a few months ago that people were uneasy at being asked just to restrict their heating.
Crisis measures could see streaming services and games consoles banned, Christmas lights turned off, and all sports stadiums and leisure facilities closed.
Comment: Throughout Europe governments are warning citizens that a variety of measures will be imposed on them, including rolling blackouts, 'smart' metered heating will be cut off, and shops will be mandated to convert into rationing stations where people can obtain goods. Little to none of this is being debated or voted on, and no solutions to the energy crisis are being proposed - such as dropping the failing sanctions on Russia - instead, citizens are just expected to accept the measures and suffer the consequences of a power starved economy.
It's probably no surprise that, over in the UK, the government just gifted themselves extra powers to arrest protesters.