Visiting friends? Alain Berset is a dubious “European” “Fabulous” 2.40 per mille: drunk driver stopped in Illnau-Effretikon

They know each other and like each other. When French President Emmanuel Macron landed at Bern-Belp Airport on Wednesday, Federal President Alain Berset greeted him not only with a formal handshake, but also with a warm hug. The two French-speaking magistrates have met repeatedly and work on a first-name basis.

For Macron, who is controversial in domestic politics, the state visit to Switzerland is a welcome change. The “ice age” that followed the Federal Council’s decision two years ago to use the American F-35 fighter jet instead of the French Rafale appears to be over. Today, the problems in neighborhood relations are manageable.

The atmosphere at the official reception in Bern was relaxed. The breathtakingly stylish appearance of premiere lady Brigitte Macron caused a stir: at the age of seventy she made all the women presenter look old. During the ‘Bad in the Crowd’ on the Bundesplatz, the French presidential couple seemed close.

European flag as a statement

Alain Berset, in turn, can celebrate what is probably the last highlight of his long and turbulent career at the Federal Council with the visit of his friend Emmanuel. Macron took more than six years to visit Switzerland, as did most of his predecessors since François Mitterrand. Only Nicolas Sarkozy never showed up.

However, the state visit could not disguise the fact that there are differences of opinion on one central point: the relationship with the European Union. Although Macron, like all French heads of state, emphasizes national interests, the 45-year-old is a convinced European who wants to strengthen the EU as a global player. And to his annoyance, he is often slowed down by his important ally Germany.

Defensive Berset

In Bern he warned Switzerland that it needed to clarify its relations with the EU. The negotiations on institutional issues, decided in principle fifteen years ago, should lead to success. With charm and a wink, he let Switzerland know through their daily conversations with their neighbors that they had actually been Europeans for a long time.

However, host and friend Alain Berset was defensive on the subject. Switzerland has “stable relations with the EU,” he said, referring to the drafting of a negotiating mandate decided by the Federal Council last week. It is an “important phase” in the expansion of bilateral relations.

Stubborn to the union line

There wasn’t much left, and certainly no clear commitment to this expansion. That’s not surprising. Alain Berset may be a social democrat, but a hesitant and doubtful European. In the seemingly endless and sometimes torturous debate about the institutional framework agreement, the man from Freiburg resolutely represented the trade unions’ line.

Initially he received support from fellow party member Simonetta Sommaruga. However, before the ‘show of strength’ in May 2021, she is said to have developed ‘cold feet’ and spoke out against a total halt to negotiations. Berset, on the other hand, remained stubborn and ruined the agreement together with the federal councilors of the SVP and Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP).

A tough EU opponent?

The Minister of the Interior is “a fierce opponent of rapprochement with the EU,” according to the “Handelszeitung” after Berset announced his departure at the end of June. That may be an unfair judgement, but you certainly cannot describe it as a fiery “Euroturbo”. His attitude is characterized by indifference and even skepticism.

This became clear during Maia Sandu’s visit in October. While the president of the Republic of Moldova, besieged by Russia, emphasized during a joint appearance at ETH Zurich that it would like to join the EU “or sooner” in 2030, Berset, in response to an audience question about Switzerland’s EU policy.

Report on Corona leaks

Things were not much different on Thursday when he and Emmanuel Macron addressed the students of the University of Lausanne under the motto ‘Parlons Europe’. Berset remained committed to the European Political Community (EPG), which was established at Macron’s initiative after the Russian attack on Ukraine.

It is an informal, toothless body and does not ‘hurt’ Switzerland. At least Berset offered to hold an EPG summit. However, the relationship with the EU remains crucial, and the outgoing head of Home Affairs should have an interest in this, whether because of research cooperation or the desired health agreement.

The Federal Council wants to approve a new negotiating mandate by the end of the year, before the final departure of Alain Berset. First of all, after the glamor of the state visit, the gray everyday life returns. According to the NZZ, the corporate audit committees of the National Council and the Council of States are expected to publish their report on the Corona leaks on Friday.

It concerns the alleged indiscretions of his former head of communications towards the CEO of Ringier, which were allegedly intended to influence the decisions of the Federal Council during the pandemic. The big question is whether Berset knew. The report is unlikely to provide a clear answer. But the affair is not flattering to him.