The previous and the two new Federal Councilors discussed for two hours. “Intense”, as Federal President Ignazio Cassis (61) said. Now the die has been cast: SVP federal councilor Albert Rösti (55) will get his desired department, the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications Department (UVEK), which Simonetta Sommaruga (62, SP) led until now. The nuclear power plant advocate, auto lobbyist and former president of Swissoil has made no secret of the fact that the UVEK is his favorite chapter.
Keller-Sutter was able to prevail
The new SP magistrate Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (58) will be assigned the Justice and Police Department, which was previously headed by Karin Keller Sutter (58, FDP). Baume-Schneider will therefore have to deal with the asylum problem and the refugees from Ukraine in the future.
Meanwhile, Keller-Sutter got what she wanted: sovereignty over finances. Until now, SVP Bundesrat Maurer has watched over this important department. She’s looking forward to it, she said. “But it’s a difficult task. I have great respect for this change.” Decisions are needed relatively quickly – decisions that would not be painless.
According to insiders, Alain Berset (50, SP) would also have kept an eye on the financial department. But the FDP Bundesrat was clearly victorious in the distribution battle.
Berset remains Minister of Health
This keeps Berset in the interior department. He would also be interested in moving to the foreign department. But Ignazio Cassis stays there. And the other Bundesrat members do not change either. Guy Parmelin (63) will continue to lead the Department of Economics, Education and Research (EAER).
Viola Amherd (60, centre), who was reportedly interested in UVEK, will remain head of the Defense, Civil Protection and Sports (VBS) Department. “We are responsible for the safety of our people and our country. That is why I have decided with conviction to continue to lead the VBS,” she tweeted. The DDPS is not only a very important department, but above all a very innovative one.