Categories: Politics

Chancellor Walter Thurnherr explains our democracy to the Germans: “In Switzerland, everyone takes it a little easier.”

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Chancellor Walter Thurnherr gave the opening speech at the economic summit of the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.

The economic summit “Süddeutsche Zeitung” in Berlin is a huge event. Political figures and top managers lend a helping hand. This year one of the most important speakers was a Swiss: Chancellor Walter Thurnherr (60).

He, who will leave his position at the end of this year, made a major appearance in Berlin as the opening speaker. And made a ‘flaming plea for democracy’, as the newspaper writes. “Democracies are slow and sometimes terribly labor intensive,” says Thurnherr. But they would “provide by far the best decision-making process.”

Taking the time takes courage

However, the Chancellor took the opportunity to give Germans a better understanding of some of Switzerland’s special features. For example, in Swiss direct democracy it sometimes takes a little longer to make decisions than elsewhere. “In Switzerland, no one actually decides, everyone takes it a little slower,” Thurnherr said with a smile.

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He describes Switzerland as a huge ‘consultation washing machine’, because everyone is constantly being asked about anything and everything. But that also takes courage: taking the time to make decisions – even though that is sometimes difficult.

Develop neutrality

Thurnherr also addressed the various crises of recent years – from the corona pandemic to the war in Ukraine, to concerns about energy and inflation – and concluded: “Many in Switzerland thought: we can just see what happens.” But what happens abroad also has consequences in Switzerland. Recognizing this is not always easy, even for politicians. “Foreign policy is not a usual affair in Switzerland,” the chancellor explained to those present.

Switzerland is now working to develop a more modern understanding of its own neutrality – the outcome is open. To emphasize the war in Ukraine, “Just because you don’t supply weapons doesn’t mean you don’t do anything,” Thurnherr said. “The attitude you are in is clear.” (Russian)

What does the Chancellor actually do?

In Switzerland, unlike in Germany or Austria, the Chancellor is not the most powerful person in the country. Therefore, she operates with less publicity than the seven members of the state government – ​​and yet she still has political influence.

The Chancellor is elected by the unified Federal Assembly, that is, by the National Council and the Council of States. The elected person heads the Federal Chancellery. This plans and coordinates government affairs.

The Chancellor participates in the weekly meetings of the Federal Council. There the person has an advisory role. As the government’s chief of staff, she can mediate, coordinate, co-author reports, make suggestions and even submit requests. She’s just not allowed to vote.

She also takes over the communications of the state government and is responsible for conducting votes and elections for the National Council. She is also shown in her position in the official photo of the Federal Council.

Their work is rewarded with approximately 80 percent of the Federal Council’s salary. So she earns about 360,000 francs a year.

In Switzerland, unlike in Germany or Austria, the Chancellor is not the most powerful person in the country. Therefore, she operates with less publicity than the seven members of the state government – ​​and yet she has political influence.

The Chancellor is elected by the unified Federal Assembly, that is, by the National Council and the Council of States. The elected person heads the Federal Chancellery. This plans and coordinates government affairs.

The Chancellor participates in the weekly meetings of the Federal Council. There the person has an advisory role. As the government’s chief of staff, she can mediate, coordinate, co-author reports, make suggestions and even submit requests. She’s just not allowed to vote.

She also takes over the communications of the state government and is responsible for conducting votes and elections for the National Council. She is also shown in her position in the official photo of the Federal Council.

Their work is rewarded with approximately 80 percent of the Federal Council’s salary. So she earns about 360,000 francs a year.

Source:Blick

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