Despite a salary of almost 280,000 francs: the Bernese government council invoices bananas as expenses

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An organic multigrain roll for 95 cents, a banana for 20 cents or a pretzel with butter for 3.20 francs. These expenses appear on the expense declaration of Bernese security director Philippe Müller (60, FDP), this is reported by “Kassenjagd”. In each case, “Meals” or “Znüni” was noted.

Like the other Bern government members, Müller earns just under 280,000 francs. In addition, there is a fixed expense allowance of 8,000 francs, for example for the use of a private car or clothing costs. In addition, they are one of the few cantonal authorities that are allowed to submit individual receipts.

Wine reserve or scarf rental

They make full use of this: for example, SP government councilor Christoph Ammann (54), who sets up a ‘wine reserve’ in his department for aperitifs and gifts. Twelve bottles of Sauvignon Blanc 2018 and twelve bottles of Le Grand Pinot were ordered in the autumn of 2020. Ammann also likes to invite people for dinner: he has dinner several times with the CEO of a consultancy firm. And for the Federal President’s New Year’s reception in 2019, his own wardrobe was not enough. He borrowed an Eden hat and a ‘cream-coloured silk’ scarf from the costume collection of the city theater for a rental price of 30 francs each.

Or Minister of Health Pierre Alain Schnegg (61, SVP): According to research by “Kassenrutsch”, he met two politicians and several employees of the Federal Office for Public Health for a business lunch. For 627 francs they drank, among other things, a bottle of Champanel and a bottle of Merlot.

“The processing alone costs 25 to 30 francs”

Kuno Schedler (62), professor of Public Management at the University of St. Gallen, is particularly critical of the small amounts charged. “The processing alone costs 25 to 30 francs,” he tells the SRF program. “It’s petty and for me it’s a matter of personality.”

He can understand that lunch and presents are necessary for a government councilor when it comes to important and personal conversations. “You can’t fundamentally say that everything is wrong, but you also can’t say that everything that has been done is right.”

The individual government members did not want to take a position on the ‘cash collapse’. A government spokesperson writes that the expenditure is legal. “The invoiced costs are expenses that are customary and justified in an executive office at cantonal level.” The fact that government councils charge such administrative expenses with expenses is in accordance with the applicable legal system. (brother)

Source:Blick