That’s how life changes when you become a federal councilman

The dice will be thrown on Wednesday morning: parliament will elect a new member of the Bundesrat. But what exactly does it mean to suddenly be a member of the state government? It’s not an easy job, but the office also has some amenities up its sleeve. Blick explains what will change in the lives of the newly elected.

On the very first day, the newly elected members of the Federal Chancellery will have their own office in the Federal Palace. They must immediately familiarize themselves with the important files in order to be able to start full throttle on 1 January. To this end, they also receive an introduction to the working methods of the meetings of the Federal Council.

Which department they will be responsible for is usually decided at the first meeting of the Federal Council after the election. However, newcomers are the last to make their wishes known – and often have to take what is left.

A federal councilor is not only a member of the government, but also the head of her department. It is therefore important to get to know dozens, if not hundreds of employees. She will spend her working days with them. And they are not short: a normal working day of the Federal Council lasts a maximum of twelve hours. Before or after, there is still a mountain of files that need to be turned over.

There are also new tasks externally. In accordance with the principle of collegiality, the federal councilors must always represent the opinion of the federal council as a whole vis-à-vis the population and parliament. They are no longer allowed to participate in cantonal votes and elections.

You are a member of the Federal Council 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therefore, members of the government must give up all other offices and jobs to avoid a conflict of interest.

However, a side job is not necessary at all. Federal councilors are well paid – currently with a gross salary of 456,854 francs per year to be exact. There is also an expense allowance of CHF 30,000 per year. Even after the dismissal, financial worries are spared. If you have been in office for at least four years, you are entitled to half your salary as a pension.

The elected may keep their private cell phones. But because they also communicate a lot about secret and confidential topics, the Bundesrat members are provided with a listening device, the so-called “Tego”. However, this is rarely used in everyday life.

Most confidential conversations take place through face-to-face meetings. For written exchange, the federal government relies on the encrypted Swiss news app Threema. Regardless of the channel: from election to resignation, a Federal Councilor must always be available.

A summit meeting here, a speech there, a meeting there – as a Federal Councilor you travel a lot. They therefore have access to a presentation car and a company car with driver. In addition, each Bundesrat member receives a first-class GA travel card.

Flying is also first class. The Federal Council has two jets of its own. When these are occupied, Federal Councilors have VIP status on Swiss flights, including access to the lounge and everything that goes with it. In addition: You will receive a diplomatic passport, which makes traveling easier.

A member of the Bundesrat does not have to move to Bern – he is free to choose where to live. However, the official seat is in Bern and the magistrates must be able to reach it in a short time. That is why many Bundesrat members rent an apartment in or around Bern, where they spend the night during the week.

In all apartments, the federal government pays for the installation and costs of televisions, telephone connections and IT equipment such as computers. But even federal councilors aren’t immune from fees. When Serafe’s bill comes in, they have to pay the ministers themselves.