The “Bauern Horror” responds to the farmers’ lobby: “I regret the misunderstandings”

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Mr Jans, what was the most nonsense written about you in recent weeks?
Defeat Jans: That I go crazy on the football field. That is not true.

How did the rumor start?
I do not know. But in the National Council team I was a pretty quiet player.

No blood streaks?
I’m too old for that (laughs).

And: Are you really a fool?
On the contrary: I have trained as a farmer myself, am friends with many farmers and help colleagues on the farm so that they can go on holiday.

Can you still milk?
Clearly! Cleaning modern milking machines is more difficult than milking.

Yet the farmers’ lobby views you as a farmer who is scaring the farmers.

As a Member of Parliament, I was committed to sustainable agriculture and had a clear mission for our group. As a member of the Federal Council I will represent agricultural policy from a general perspective.

As a parliamentarian, you supported an initiative that would oblige civil servants in Bern to eat vegan.
To be honest, I can’t remember.

How often is there meat on the table at your home?
My wife is American, we recently celebrated Thanksgiving with two turkeys with many friends. But there may also be no meat for a number of weeks. At Christmas we look forward to a fillet Wellington.

The Grättimann comes to Basel for the Christ Child. Which of your sins has he recorded in his golden book?
I come back to the farmers. I regret the misunderstandings.

There is a rumor circulating on the internet that you previously damaged a farm tractor without paying for the damage.
The damage has been paid. As a student I drove a tractor with a trailer. The trailer veered onto a narrow bridge and damaged a car. My teacher dealt fairly with the driver.

Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter wants to limit the compensation for shopping tourists from 300 to 150 euros. How do you feel about that?
I understand the dissatisfaction from the business community and agriculture and am helping to make this decision. However, in regions close to the border this will not change much. People will cross the border more often than before.

As a national councilor, you opposed classifying Hamas as a terrorist organization. An error?
Yes, I’ve gotten smarter now. With the barbaric attack on Israel, Hamas shows its true face: it is a terrorist organization. This no longer has anything to do with the fight for freedom.

What do you say about the accusation that you, as president of the Basel government? stood still for too long after the Hamas terror of October 7?
It would have been better if we had quickly sent out a press release clearly condemning the terror and reaffirming our solidarity with Israel and the Jews of Basel. I would do that differently today.

Many citizens are afraid that healthcare premiums will continue to rise. What promise do you make in this regard?
No. Healthcare costs will continue to rise as our society ages. Healing methods are improving and nursing staff need more resources. We still need to do everything we can to prevent costs from exploding. We need to improve hospital planning and ensure that medicines reach the market as cheaply as possible.

Does Switzerland need more or less migration?
Immigration is not an end in itself. But we don’t have to be afraid of it either. 37 percent of people in Basel do not have a Swiss passport. More than a hundred years ago this share was even higher. Basel benefits a lot from migrants. Without them, hospitals would not be able to function. And the pharmaceutical industry in particular recruits the best specialists from all over the world.

You once addressed Mrs Martullo-Blocher in the Federal Palace as ‘Mrs Blocher’. Would you do that again as a federal councilor?
No, that was a slip of the tongue for which I apologize.

There were allegations of sexual harassment in Basel’s cultural department. Apparently you only investigated the allegations after the GPK intervened.
That is not true. We take such allegations very seriously. However, for reasons of privacy protection, we are not allowed to communicate proactively.

What is your opinion on the subject of wolves?
Years ago I visited wolf projects in Romania twice as part of a research project. Given the strong increase, I understand that more regulation is needed. But no miracles can be expected here either. If packs are shot, there is a risk that the decimated packs will increasingly hunt livestock instead of game. We must keep a close eye on this.

Are climate adhesives counterproductive?
I fear this has damaged the movement. I am the father of two daughters who participated in the climate strike. It was constructive and dialogue-oriented. The climate stickers have also angered people who also want to do something for the climate.

Would you be happy if you could take over Albert Rösti’s Uvek?
For me as an environmental scientist, Uvek would be a homecoming. But Mr. Rösti also likes the department (laughs).

After ‘marriage for all’, the rainbow community wants surrogacy. Your opinion?
Rainbow families deserve more support. This is not just about surrogacy, but also about the issue of adoption. I think it is unfair that heterosexual couples are allowed to adopt more easily than homosexual couples. The well-being of the child should come first, not the sexual orientation of the parents.

Are you a feminist?
Yes.

What does that mean?
I am convinced that the world is better when everyone has the same opportunities. I don’t want my daughters to have worse opportunities than their male colleagues.

Do the Greens belong in the Federal Council?
If they have enough voting shares, yes. But I don’t mind voting out.

What would you do differently than Alain Berset?
I wouldn’t wear a black hat, but a beret. And as head of the EDI, I would give greater priority to the issue of equality.

In Italy, 96 Ruag tanks are rusting. Should Ukraine get them?
As far as I know, the question of ownership needs to be clarified first. Neutrality is a means to preserve our independence and promote world peace. Ukraine defends our values ​​and our independence. It must therefore be possible for third parties to transfer our exported weapons to Ukraine. We need to reconcile this with our understanding of neutrality.

Source:Blick