UN, WHO or Governing Council?: What Berset could do after his resignation

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Alain Berset (51) is free on January 1, 2024. For the first time in almost 12 years. After all, there is always a Federal Councilor in office. And then? Even if he could rest thanks to a nice pension – Berset is too young to lie in a lounger all his life. But what jobs are there for a former federal councilor?

Berset is comfortable on the international stage, speaks several languages ​​and is considered to be well connected. He used his presidential years for many trips. With the presidency of the UN Security Council, Switzerland and its president have gained a lot of visibility in recent months. Is Berset in the spotlight and looking for a job at the United Nations?

Or maybe the World Health Organization? As health minister, Berset has frequent contact with her and seeks proximity to the organization, recently reported “20 minutes”. In fact, insiders are confident that he will hold the executive chair. However, acting director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (58) was only confirmed for a second term a year ago.

Bad chances for Swiss

But it is also clear that Berset is not the only one with international ambitions. But actually becoming a member of the UN is not easy for the Swiss. “Even as a federal councilor you are a small number,” an insider tells Blick.

The one who made it was former Federal Councilor Adolf Ogi (80): The then Secretary-General Kofi Annan (80) recruited him in 2001 as a special adviser for sport in the service for development and peace. But that was the friendship between the two men.

Is he attracted to sports?

But there are other options. A culture or sports association can also call on the former French-speaking Switzerland junior champion in the 800-meter run, jazz pianist and film enthusiast. Or the social democrat is hired by an aid organization. President Francesco Rocca resigns from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Not many federal councilors have left office at a young age. Ruth Metzler (59) was voted out in 2003 when she was just 39 years old. Doris Leuthard (60) ended her political career in 2018 at the age of 55. At the time, both worked in the business community and sat on boards of directors. Metzler worked for the pharmaceutical company Novartis, Leuthard sits on the highest committees of Coop and Stadler Rail, among others.

Time out probably

Directorships are also not excluded for Berset. However, involvement in the national health sector or the lucrative pharmaceutical industry could earn him charges of favoritism. Therefore, it could also go in the direction of advice.

And Berset himself? At Wednesday’s media conference, he emphasized that he had no strategy for the time after that. “Maybe I’ll do yoga,” he joked. In fact, a longer hiatus seems the most likely option. Berset also confirmed this in an interview with “La Liberté”: he should probably take some distance. But: “I also feel like doing something else.”

Source:Blick