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The saying on Gerhard Andrey’s laptop fits perfectly with the National Council of Freiburg and his family. “Doing is like wanting, but more intense.” It is no surprise when daughter Anna (13), who dreams of a football career, heads the ball to her brother Basil (16) in the middle of the kitchen.
Or his wife Christina Gräni (45), who ran a graphics agency, joined the programming school Powercoders for migrants in her early forties. “We are a dynamic family,” says Gerhard Andrey (47) with a smile.
This article was first published in “Schweizer Illustrierte”. You can find more exciting articles at www.schweizer-illustrierte.ch.
This article was first published in “Schweizer Illustrierte”. You can find more exciting articles at www.schweizer-illustrierte.ch.
It is therefore no wonder that the Green politician is now taking the step and standing as a candidate for the Federal Council. He announced this to the media in Freiburg on Tuesday. There he wants to commit himself to intact nature, living together on the basis of solidarity and a circular economy as a basis for a good life for current and future generations.
Digitization as a hobbyhorse
Dynamism applies especially to his own CV: from farmer’s son to carpenter, to wood engineer, to computer scientist, to founder of a web agency with today 220 employees and a turnover of 23 million francs.
Since 2019, Andrey has also been a member of the National Council for the Greens, where as a left-wing entrepreneur he also scores points with the commoners: ‘With Gerhard it is possible to discuss objectively and find the lowest common denominator for a compromise across borders. party lines,” said Lars Guggisberg, national councilor of the SVP.
He often collaborates with others, especially in the field of digitalization – Andrey’s hobbyhorse. For example, with the motion for a ‘reliable state e-ID’, which he was able to transfer to the Federal Council after the people voted no to the e-ID law.
Andrey’s opinion also has weight in the discussion about artificial intelligence. The politician signed the same petition as tech boss Elon Musk: This calls for a six-month development freeze for major AI projects.
In April, at the Andreys family table at home in Granges-Paccot, Fribourg, right next to Röstigraben, their son Basil talked about his school’s solar energy project. “Geru and Basil almost always talk about politics,” says Christina. “Yes, but I am the least left-wing of all of us,” explains the son, who wants to become a doctor. “But that’s good. “I’m challenged,” says Dad.
Andrey himself is also politicized at the family table. His father once sat for the CVP in the municipal council of Heitenried FR. “Although they are traditional, when I look back I see my parents as very progressive,” says Andrey.
His father was one of the first farmers to spread manure in an environmentally friendly way using a drag hose. In general, he came from home with a deep-rooted understanding of nature. “The fact that I had to lend a hand on the farm still gives me a reason,” says Andrey.
Not a vegetarian
As quickly as he speaks, Andrey races on his bicycle (“next to the family, my greatest source of relief”) from the condominium in the countryside to the office in the center of Freiburg.
The family has never owned a car, the last time he flew to Greece was eight years ago (“an exception”), and the family shopped at the organic store. “We also eat meat, and as a farmer’s son I know the differences.”
With racing bikes in the hallways and a dart board in front of the meeting room, the office of web agency Liip still exudes a hip, young entrepreneurial spirit, 17 years after its founding. “But please don’t write a Google groove, we work differently,” warns Andrey. Co-founder Hannes Gassert laughs.
When asked what makes Andrey special as a colleague, he says: “Geru teaches us: Acting faster is often better.”
The two met 22 years ago when Andrey returned from his internship as a wood engineer in Costa Rica. “Hannes was a talented programmer, I had the fastest internet connection in town – the rest is history,” says Andrey.
Who’s who of economics
What starts with websites for small businesses grows into a big deal with applications to Postfinance or the National Bank. “We were among the pioneers, that was exciting,” says Andrey.
What was also exciting at the time was Liip’s aim to reconcile environmental protection, economic efficiency and social needs. “At first we were laughed at for our four weeks of paternity leave, just like we were for the CO2-Balance,” says Andrey.
But the calculation is correct. Today, their customers include the who’s who of the business community – also because Andrey and his colleagues reject certain orders that do not fit their philosophy.
Help shape it and don’t just stand by – that is what the politician also advocates when it comes to digitalization. “Switzerland is adopting EU law – instead of sitting at the negotiating table.”
When it comes to artificial intelligence, fast action is required now. “If we were given responsibility for AI, it would be a competitive advantage for us,” Andrey is convinced. This requires transparency, but also sanctions for the tech giants if necessary.
‘I’m not playing an internet police officer’
He himself uses AI programs such as ChatGPT as a tool for research and ideas. “I’m glad people are finally talking about this topic, because artificial intelligence has been around for a long time.” For example on social media.
Of course he also discusses with his children about the inadequate security on Tiktok and Co. “But I’m not playing an internet police officer.”
Basil recently gave up his cell phone for three days of his own free will. True to the family credo: “Doing is like wanting, but more intense.”
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.
