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His appearance on Wednesday was something of a throwback, a shoutout to historians. With the announcement of the resignation of Alain Berset (51) in December, a miraculous political career comes to an end – for the time being. A long-distance run, as he would call it.
The runner analogy runs throughout Berset’s career. As a teenager he became champion of Western Switzerland in the 800 meters and set numerous records for his club, CA Belfaux. Finally he can start at the “Athletissima” in Lausanne, an international athletics meeting.
At the age of only 31, he also enters the home trajectory politically: the social democrat enters the Council of States for the canton of Friborg. And that with only a few years of political experience in the cantonal constitutional council and in the municipal council of his home town of Belfaux, where he still lives today.
Three legislatures
In 2009 he became chairman of the Council of States, then the youngest member of Stöckli. He finally crossed the line in 2011: he was elected to the Federal Council to succeed Micheline Calmy-Rey (77). The man from Freiburg with his elegant features is considered smart and quick-witted.
The doctor of political science and economics and father of three will have spent 12 years at the head of the Federal Department of the Interior (FDHA) when his term expires at the end of December after three legislatures.
Eternal construction sites
As Head of EDI, he is responsible for health policy and pension provision. Both areas are seen as eternal construction pits where hardly any reforms succeed. Berset suffered one of his most sensitive defeats in September 2017 when he clearly failed with “Retirement Provision 2020”.
Five years later, he succeeds in a radical reform of the AHV. After the narrow yes of the electorate, the retirement age for women is expected to gradually increase to 65 years from 2024. In addition, VAT will be increased in favor of AHV.
Sovereign through the pandemic
Berset’s name will remain – at least in Switzerland – associated with one of the most serious crises in recent times: the Covid 19 pandemic. The Home Secretary is on the front lines as the coronavirus dominates social, political and economic life. The Bundesrat temporarily rules with emergency law, bans events and closes shops and restaurants.
And yet: the majority supports the course of the Bundesrat. Almost everyone testifies that as Minister of Health he communicates well and maintains a sense of proportion. Three times, most recently last Sunday, people at the polls say yes to the Covid 19 law. The overcome pandemic was sometimes the reason for his resignation announcement, Berset explained on Wednesday.
Great popularity among the people
Berset is regularly ranked as one of the most popular magistrates in opinion polls. The Romand speaks eloquently – even in German. With nonchalance and worldliness he scores in the staid Swiss political establishment.
In 2018, for example, during Berset’s first year as federal president. In New York, he has the eyes of the world on him: a snapshot circulated in the media shows the “Swiss President” reading documents in front of the UN building, sitting on a curb in a suit.
Scandals again and again
But negative headlines continue to miss Berset. About the attempted blackmail of a former lover. Or the accusation of breaking professional secrecy against his former confidante and media spokesman in connection with corona indiscretions.
Due to an error by the French air police, Berset was also exposed as a private pilot in the summer of 2022: because the authority had miscommunicated Berset and he did not respond, the air police brought the minister, who was traveling alone in a small plane, to the ground.
“Maybe Yoga”
Now the breezy life as a federal councilor for Berset will soon be over. He is cautious about his (professional) future. There is “no plan yet,” he says.
Perhaps he goes back to his musical skills – he took piano lessons at the conservatory for many years. That enabled him to work as a bar pianist in Brazil at the age of 19. Another option: “Maybe I’ll do yoga,” he said jokingly on Wednesday.
Anyway: Alain Berset will initially hit the reset button in December.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
