A salary of 450,000 francs, a mobile phone at state expense, a box in the municipal theater of Bern – being a member of the Bundesrat comes with many privileges. Even when it comes to mobility. Each Bundesrat member receives a 1st class GA travel card, a representative car with driver, an extra company car and, of course, may use the Bundesrat’s jet.
For SVP National Councilor Thomas Burgherr (60), that is a bit too much privilege. “Why should the taxpayer have to pay for the private car of the federal councilors in addition to the limousine?” de Aargauer wonders.
“People Are Annoying”
And demands in advance that the state government check how “contemporary the privileges are and how much they are used”. The Bundesrat should therefore determine which special rights it actually uses and which it does not – and then acquire the superfluous or old-fashioned privileges.
“That would be a sign,” says Burgherr. “Especially in this day and age, people are annoyed by the privileges.” And cites as an example that the mobile phone costs of bosses are also not covered in the private sector. Burgherr admits that considerably higher wages are paid there for top positions. However, the state should not interfere in business decisions.
Abolition of pensions failed
The privileges of rulers – also at city and canton level – are a recurring subject. Some cities and cantons have abolished pensions for leavers.
Burgherr had already tried to abolish Federal Council pensions as well, but without success. “Maybe some thought they could become a federal councilor themselves,” he says today.