Mitte President Gerhard Pfister speaks about the death of his parents: “I have a lot to do with myself.”

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A young man spontaneously approaches Gerhard Pfister (60) in Zug. ‘I went to your school. Next year I will start my medical studies.” Pfister has been a school principal for decades. First he took over the Pfister Institute from his father, then together with a colleague he founded the private day school Elementa in Neuheim ZG.

The centrist president is happy and asks. The stress of the many appointments during the election campaign is reduced thanks to the meeting with the young man. He sits down by the lake and is now completely there.

You were eight when your mother died. What memories do you have? Gerhard Pfister: The last five years of her life she suffered from cancer and was scarred by the disease. That’s what I remember most. My brothers were five and nine years old when they died, and my sister was eleven. A nanny took care of us and my father ran the school.

How did your father relay the news of his death to you and your siblings?
We came home from school loud and wild. But we immediately noticed that something was wrong. Our father sat in the dining room with the doctor and calmly told us that our mother had died. My sister screamed, I remember that well. I first had to realize what that means, what it means when someone is dead. I know my father struggled a lot with the Lord.

Do you have memories of the funeral?
My mother was prepared at home and we were able to say goodbye to her. On the day of the funeral, her coffin was driven to the church in a carriage. It was snowing and cold. Older residents of Oberägeri tell me that they felt sorry for us children because we had to accept condolences at the grave in the cold and snow. I think it was the image of the grieving father with his four children that touched people.

How important was your father?
Very important. I went to a boarding school in Disentis and then studied in Fribourg. I was away a lot, but my father was very present. He did not like to talk about the past and believed that the past should be left alone. He later told me that he had struggled with fate for a long time after my mother’s death.

How has your story shaped you?
I do a lot with myself. Keep things that concern me to myself and look for solutions myself. The reason for this may be that early on I was or felt very alone. My wife sometimes doesn’t find that funny. What also sets me apart is that I rationalize very strongly, look at things from a distance and try to solve them rationally.

Does the increasing emotionalization in politics bother you?
I admit to everyone who is active in politics that they only want the best for the country. The paths we choose are different, that’s okay. But it is certainly no coincidence that I am in the Die Mitte party.

DThe center has no profile…
… yes, yes, you always hear that. I see it differently: I have little respect for those who think they know what the truth is, only their own. Polarization leads to individual groups only affirming themselves and clinging to their worldview. On the other hand, we want to take responsibility for feasible solutions and take the lead in this.

Your father died when you were 32. What did you learn from him?
A lot of. The funny thing is that I am becoming more and more like my father, even though as a young man I wanted to do many things differently. He taught us children – not only his own, but also those of his students – self-confidence. Believe in yourself, don’t be discouraged, do what makes you happy. I am very grateful to him for that.

You and your wife Franziska have no children. Are you afraid that your bloodline will not continue?
Thank God, no, not at all. I don’t think dynastically. I also have wonderful nieces and nephews who continue the Pfisters.

You are 61 and an important player in politics. All decisions made today affect the future of young people.
I understand that we Boomers are accused of consuming too much and living too carelessly. And I have a lot of insight into a new lifestyle with part-time work and less consumption. Just as I am convinced that the youth will do well, I do not believe that our generation has anything to be ashamed of.

But shouldn’t there be more young people in parliament?
Anyone and everyone can be elected. The people must decide.

Was your family one of the “best”?
We belonged to the so-called educated middle class, the upper middle class. My parents’ generation and mine were very fortunate to live in a time without wars and major economic upheavals. With hard work you can create wealth. Nowadays this has become virtually impossible, the wealth differences are increasing drastically. This poses major social challenges and we must take care of the origins and principles of the social market economy. The current generation no longer has the security and certainty that we had.

They studied philosophy. What should we read when we are sad?
“Instructions for Misfortune” by Paul Watzlawick.

Who encourages action?
Nietzsche, who says that we should orient ourselves towards this world, and not towards the hereafter.

Who is your political guide?
Otfried Höffe, with whom I had the opportunity to study and who warns that ethics and morals should not be forgotten in politics.

Source:Blick