The Federal Council room now has internet access

When the Swiss government meets for a joint meeting on Wednesday morning, the highest security measures apply. Electronic devices in the room are strictly prohibited to protect Switzerland from potential eavesdropping attacks. For example, the seven federal councilors have to deposit their smartphones in lockers in the front room – or they don’t even take them to the meeting.

So far, only one computer has been in the Federal Council room – that one belongs to the note-taker. This device is prepared in such a way that no data can leak out. For everyone else, electronic devices are taboo. On the one hand for safety reasons, but on the other hand so that no one is distracted.

But now this ban has been relaxed somewhat. Because VBS boss Viola Amherd (60) has contracted the corona virus and can only participate in the session online.

This means that the Federal Council Chamber now also has internet access! “During the pandemic, the chance has increased that someone could attend the meeting but would have to forgo due to the risk of infection,” Federal Council spokesman André Simonazzi (54) told Blick.

System used «rarely» so far

For these reasons, a system has been installed that allows magistrates to be connected. With the necessary safety measures of course. For security reasons, Simonazzi cannot reveal which these are. Only so much: “This system meets the security standards defined for it.”

The system has so far been used “very rarely” because it was only procured for this particular situation of a Covid infection, the vice chancellor continued.

It is not known if and which members of the government are already calling in online to the meeting of the Federal Council. Amherd is the sixth member of the Bundesrat this year infected with the corona virus. Although all federal councilors have been vaccinated and strengthened, only FDP magistrate Karin Keller-Sutter (58) has so far been spared from being infected with the virus. (you)