In 2001 she became the first Swiss woman to climb Mount Everest on her own, at 8,848 meters the highest mountain in the world. Then Evelyne Binsack (55) wanted to climb the political top. Almost four weeks ago, the Bernese SVP announced its intention to send them to the National Council in 2023. But now, surprisingly, Binsack withdraws her candidacy. Blick, the most famous Swiss extreme athlete, tells the reasons exclusively.
Blick: Mrs. Binsack, you are withdrawing your candidacy for the National Council. Why?
Evelyn Binsack: For health reasons. As a result of late damage from an accident through no fault of my own eleven years ago, I suffered a cervical vertebral fracture and a concussion. Since then I have never been completely pain free, but lately the symptoms have gotten worse. I thought that with the strength of my will I could overcome the symptoms such as severe headaches, insomnia, hypervigilance, ie heightened alertness and the resulting exhaustion. But unfortunately the will has no access to the nervous system.
Why did you choose SVP in the first place?
Because she believes in the personal responsibility of citizens and has understood that this, if encouraged, leads to personal power.
What did you want to achieve in the National Council?
I am actually a very apolitical person, but I have a pronounced power of observation. Through my presentations, my work as a mountain guide and mental coach I have insight into the stories of many people. And many have a latent fear. Unfortunately, some politicians are feeding these fears rather than solving them. In my opinion, Switzerland has lost its sovereignty. I want to lead people through their fear to strength and sovereignty.
Is it only your health holding you back?
Above all, yes. But I also didn’t want to run an election campaign, didn’t want to see posters hanging from me. This was not appreciated and also supported my decision to withdraw my candidacy. In my view, politics is strongly influenced by lobbying. However, the interests of a lobby are not necessarily the interests of the people – and so the politician is involved in a conflict of interest even before taking office.
What do you mean?
It takes a sober, independent mind to form an opinion. I think that is the most difficult task of a politician: to always adopt a neutral, open attitude. For example, in climate protection, which unfortunately comes at the expense of nature conservation, or in the way we as a people go through a pandemic. I think you have to deal with any wrong decisions afterwards.
Do you value nature conservation more than climate protection?
Yes. Let’s take wind energy as an example: a block of concrete the size of a single-family house is poured into the ground under each wind turbine. Life in the soil is simply wiped out. Unfortunately, we have moved away from thinking in cycles, as they exist in nature, and we are surprised that we cannot continue in this way in the long term. I don’t have the solution either, but thinking in cycles should be top priority. I am pro conservation. The climate then regulates itself.
Can you give an example?
One idea is a closed forest road across Europe, even better from the Atlantic Ocean via Russia to China. Forests have been proven to generate their own climate, regulating temperature and generating moisture. A forest road would be a concrete, visionary solution. Or green parking spaces with a permeable floor. I think it doesn’t matter if we are right or left. We must relearn how to be open and curious around the table, with scientists and visionaries, with respect for others, with curiosity about things that have not yet been thought of and with honesty, even when we are confronted with our mistakes.
Do you become politically active in any other way?
I am an all or nothing person. The decision to withdraw my candidacy for the National Council means that I will not take on any other political office.
How were the reactions to your withdrawal from the party?
I have gained a lot of understanding. I also made the decision early enough that SVP Oberhasli still has a chance to send another candidate to the election campaign.
What’s next for you?
At the moment there are some studies in the clinic and I am working with the doctors to find solutions to better manage the symptoms. And then I’ll look for a new target.