Vaudois Broulis in the Council of States: “We must convince German-speaking Switzerland of the major issues”

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Pascal Broulis (58) is not a newcomer to politics in French-speaking Switzerland. Yet the FDP veteran was able to celebrate a premiere on Sunday. The former finance minister of Vaud was part of the federal parliament for the first time. He joins the Council of States.

Ultimately, the match against Green Raphaël Mahaim (39) was not as exciting as the leftists had hoped. The liberal received 89,058 votes, his opponent received 15,000 fewer votes.

Pascal Broulis, how do you feel after your election success? Have you ever been afraid of being overtaken by Raphaël Mahaim?
Pascal Broulis: My election victory is not a given; I had to fight. As in any democracy, the people ultimately decide. And of course: there were also moments of doubt. My biggest fear was that people wouldn’t go to the polls because I had already done well in the first round of voting. Now I am grateful for the support I received from my party and from everyone who participated in this election campaign. It is also their victory.

What helped you against the Green Party candidate?
The mobilization of the Young Liberals was incredible. Such election campaigns are not common here. We wanted to be present everywhere. So I went everywhere. In the morning, in the evening, at conferences, seminars, meetings. I didn’t stay just for three minutes, but entire sessions. Sometimes I wouldn’t get home until after midnight and get up again at six o’clock the next morning.

But that is not so different from your competitor’s election campaign.
I stayed calm. I have never attacked Mr. Mahaim. That’s not my way of doing politics. It consists of bringing people together and respecting them when they respect you. I defended the ideas and values ​​that define Switzerland: cohesion and respect. I have discussed issues that were not discussed at all in the first round of voting.

Which one for example?
Whether the left likes it or not, I have discussed the military several times. When you see what is happening in Ukraine, Israel and the Middle East, the military is one of the guardians of democracy. I talked about Europe, about the economy. Finally. Because money doesn’t grow on trees. I think I could score brownie points every time I brought this up. These are all topics that are central to the population. They were less challenged by their political opponents.

Together with your SP colleague Pierre-Yves Maillard, you represent the canton of Vaud in the Council of States. Will the duo “Brouillard et Malice” also do well in Bern?
It will be different, the issues at national level are broader. There will inevitably be major problems that need to be addressed. Including a very sensitive topic for young people, the economy and workers: Europe. Solutions must be found here.

Also for the economy?
Mr Maillard is a trade unionist. He knows the value of the franc and knows that every extra franc is important. I look forward to working with him, even if we won’t always find compromises. We must convince German-speaking Switzerland of the big issues. Vaud is the third largest canton in Switzerland. Together with the Canton of Geneva, we create prosperity: 25 percent of direct federal taxes come from Vaud and Geneva, even though we only make up 15 percent of the population. We will have to fight to maintain a French-speaking Swiss perspective.

Politics at the federal level – a first for you. Will you, as Council of States, politicize in the same way as you did as Council of State for Vaud?
The activity will be different. But I know the small chamber very well because I headed the Conference of Cantonal Governments for four years and the Foundation for Federal Cultural Promotion for more than ten years.

Source:Blick