Leuthard’s gorgeous old apartment had been empty for years.

The federal government is having trouble renting out the magnificent apartment in the Von-Wattenwyl-Haus in Bern, where former CVP Federal Councilor Doris Leuthard (59) is staying. The apartment in the patrician house in the middle of the old city is five rooms and 250 square meters. But it has been vacant since Leuthard’s resignation in 2018.

Could be rent. The Federal Office for Construction and Logistics (BBL) did not disclose the current rent to “Tagesanzeiger” and simply said, “Based on the current market situation, the rent for the large apartment will exceed 5000 francs.” At the time, Leuthard paid less than half that – CHF 2,450, as Blick explained.

But the bigger problem is probably that the federal government is too selective. Under the BBL’s previous position, as a rule only judges, federal legislators, federal chancellors, federal judges and possibly state secretaries would be eligible as tenants. Because the lower floors of the building are also used to host guests, such as the party leaders at the Von Wattenwyl talks.

Apparently, the Federal Office realized that potential tenants could be very limited. Meanwhile, parliamentarians and federal employees are also considered in various posts.

Once firmly in Mitte hands

Leuthard’s flat, where Bundestag Pascal Couchepin (80), lived before, is not the only place to stay at home. For a time the house was entirely in the hands of CVP politicians (now headquarters). Chancellor Walther Thurnherr (59) stayed in the second flat. And national assemblyman Martin Candinas (42) rented a room with a bathroom there.

The house was not an official residence. Because: Members of the Federal Council do not need to move to Bern. They are free to choose their actual place of residence. Still, most of them have an apartment in Bern. Because the official seat is in the capital and you need to reach it in a short time.

The flat will remain empty for now.

So wouldn’t the two new Bundestag members be excellent candidates for the office? Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (59) is not interested and Albert Rösti (55) lives just 30 kilometers away. Uetendorfer doesn’t need an apartment in the capital.

Anyway, they couldn’t move now. In the near future, maintenance work will be carried out and gas heating will be replaced. According to BBL, the construction standard of the apartments does not meet today’s usual quality standards and the solar radiation is not inspiring. (tom)