Should Simonetta Sommaruga be followed by a woman in the Federal Council? Better even, as recommended by the leadership of the joint venture, the mother of children of school age? Seven comments on this.
The first: From November 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011, four women were in the majority in the Bundesrat: Micheline Calmy-Rey, Doris Leuthard, Evelyn Widmer-Schlumpf and Simonetta Sommaruga. It was this government that initiated the phase-out of nuclear energy. Protecting minors from abuse and prioritizing biodiversity. Which imposed stricter rules on banks. Arab dictators’ assets were frozen, making Switzerland the first country in Europe to take such a measure.
In the 426 days in which women were in the majority, our state government made what is known as a “good move” for the last time. More precisely, the general desire to create something.
Secondly: Surprisingly, despite the wonderful experience of that time, today no one talks about the establishment of a new majority of women in the Bundesrat. However, at the very least, there should be no question of the number of men in the seven being not increased from the current four to five. So at least one woman will be elected on December 7th.
Thirdly: Of course, women don’t have to be the best politicians. The example of short-term British Prime Minister Liz Truss, mother of two daughters aged 13 and 16, convincingly shows that they are not always like this.
However, this problem does not currently occur. Together with Evie Allemann, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and Eva Herzog, three Social Democrats with impressive political qualifications are running for Sommarug’s seat.
Fourth: If the mother of school-age children really took a seat on the Federal Council in the form of government adviser Bern Allemann, this would be more than welcome progress. For the first time, women in this country should feel equal.
Fifth: Such success should not increase the pressure on mothers to balance children and careers. Of course it should be possible these days. However, in many cases, circumstances simply do not allow this. In addition, mothers and fathers should be able to care for their children without being reviled as unproductive, discriminated against and tormented by a bad conscience. Parents are the real successful people in our society.
Sixth: The debate about whether a mother of school-aged children should become a member of the Federal Council highlights how much stepfather Switzerland cares about parents and their children. Family policy, if it exists, is at best in its infancy.
No country in Europe gives women such short maternity leave after childbirth as rich Switzerland. And then families pay huge sums for outside childcare. In addition, the quality of kindergartens is often poor because low-paid workers have to take care of too many children.
Switzerland has a Federal Office of Agriculture.
There is the Federal Armaments Administration.
There is a federal road administration.
There is the Federal Sports Administration.
There is no federal agency for family affairs.
seventh: But this may change soon.