These 5 moments caused hilarity in Parliament in 2022

Anyone who thinks that politics is always taken seriously in parliament will be disappointed. Humor certainly has its place among the 246 members of the National Council and the seven members of the Federal Council. The official bulletin, which records all politicians’ votes, recorded “laughter” in the hall for 62 transactions discussed in 2022 under the dome of the Federal Palace. Blick shows five moments that evoked laughter.

Albert Rösti – the «Staggeler»

In the summer session, SVP national councilor and neo-federal councilor Albert Rösti (55) had to fill in at short notice for party leader Thomas Aeschi (43) to submit his minority motions for the indirect counter-proposal to the bounty aid initiative. “Mr. Aeschi probably has an important task for the group at the moment,” Rösti said, causing the first smile.

What caused even more amusement was that the word “loss certificates” just didn’t cross his mind – and instead he described the term somewhat clumsily. In the end, Rösti himself had to laugh at his stuttering. “I hope the official bulletin does this a bit more elegantly and that I won’t be listed with this ‘Gestaggle’ for the rest of my life,” he said. And immediately added: “I didn’t just want to entertain you. Agree with the minority motions!”

Jacqueline Badran and Ueli Maurer – the old couple

Here SVP Finance Minister Ueli Maurer (72), there SP economic politician Jacqueline Badran (61, ZH). When it came to tax matters, the two sometimes argued like an old married couple – the longer, the more fun. “We get along really well. We almost love each other a little!” said Maurer during a debate two years ago.

In the winter session, it was Badran who did not turn her heart into a murder den. ‘Oh, Ueli,’ she wistfully began her farewell question to Maurer about the OECD minimum tax. A melancholy that caused amusement in the hall. And because Badran’s question was too long and she was reprimanded by Council President Candinas, Maurer himself intervened. With a smile he said to the man from Graubünden: “Don’t disturb our conversation!” With which Maurer had the laugh on his side.

Martin Candinas – the sports muffle

The newly elected president of the National Council, intermediary Martin Candinas (42, GR), caused a laugh during the winter session. While parting ways with former councilor Ruth Humbel (65, AG), he revealed that he had first met Humbel at a sporting event – she as a runner, he as a stand campaign supervisor.

Later, however, they dared to run together in a parliamentary relay in Lucerne – Humbel had to cover twelve kilometers, Candinas only two. But Humbel immediately ran a half marathon. “I was frustrated when you overtook me on my modest part of the route from the KKL to the Verkehrshaus,” Candinas admitted. “It was clear to me then: I will never participate in a sporting event with you again.”

Irène Kälin – the late memory

Candinas’ predecessor on the chair, Irène Kälin (35) from Aargau, also regularly brought a smile to the audience. When the Greens thanked not only their “honorable” but also “beloved vice presidents” for their cooperation during the fall session, humorous murmurs filled the room.

But she caused even more laughter during the spring session when she urged her colleagues to calm down during a vote by SVP National Councilor Yves Nidegger (65, GE). “Dear colleagues, if Mr. Nidegger takes the trouble to talk to us, please listen to him!” Except that his speech was over at that moment, because Kälin too had to realize: “Mr. Nidegger has already finished his vote.”

Roberto Zanetti – the horned cow whisperer

In 2018, the horn cow initiative was rejected by the people with a 55 percent vote against. That did not prevent SP State Councilor Roberto Zanetti (68, SO) from attempting a new start for the matter in the House of Representatives. He tried to soften the hearts of his municipal colleagues by referring to a study that does not exclude the possibility that dehorning can lead to phantom pain in young calves.

Which intermediary Peter Hegglin (62, ZG) failed to impress. As a farmer, he used to dehorn animals in the pen himself, says Hegglin. “I never found that they had phantom pain.” Which encouraged Zanetti to reply: “Mr. Hegglin, phantom pain feels to the calves and the cows and not the farmer. Of course you never noticed the phantom pains.”