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It was a remarkable moment in Wednesday’s interview with Federal Councilor Alain Berset. SRF editor Gion-Duri Vincenz asked the Corona Minister what the low point was for him in the two pandemic years. The otherwise eloquent magistrate was silent, withdrawn.
His gaze avoided the camera and dropped to the ground beneath his prominent eyebrows. The seconds passed. “The threats,” he said finally, “violence, threats, the brutal pressure. I didn’t see that coming. And to be honest, I never want to experience that again.”
They were words that seemed to come from inside him; credible words, clear words, honest words. Berset scores with it.
Honesty’s sister is responsibility
Honesty is not only a precious commodity, honesty is also the glue that holds us together. Without honesty, a friendship, a family, a society crumbles.
Honesty’s sister is responsibility. Honesty and responsibility are what we expect from our politicians. First of all by those who are first, who guide, who lead. And the Federal Council – mandated by the people by means of the Epidemics Act – had to lead in the last 24 months more strongly and clearly than at any time since the Second World War.
The latest Corona survey by SRF and Sotomo shows that people not only expect honesty and responsibility, but also appreciate it. The clear opening verdict, which became apparent in the last few weeks of the survey, is rated very well. Of course also because it is a positive message.
Clear communication is crucial
There were bad grades for the hesitation, the rambling and rambling in autumn 2020, when the Federal Council rejected responsibility and went into an infight with the cantons. The worst ever. That was also the time when around 30 percent of those surveyed expected the Federal Council to take a tougher approach.
And to this day, the Federal Council is dragging the “masks-do-nothing” stigma with them. The weeks when, at the beginning of the pandemic, he didn’t want to know anything about the effectiveness of the simple mouth and nose protection and apparently didn’t really know anything about procurement options.
Whenever the Federal Council communicated clearly, stood up and took responsibility, it also won over the people. As health minister, Berset was often at the forefront, and he was awarded the best grade of all federal councilors in the survey. It’s only slightly above a four, but the Swiss are strict with their leadership. Cheering is reserved for Olympic gold, politicians in this country at best earn serious nods in day-to-day business.
Willingness to follow the Federal Council when the crisis demands it
The Federal Council’s pandemic policy has a high or very high level of trust, albeit only by around half of those surveyed. The Swiss are skeptical about far-reaching exercise of power. But they accept it when it seems necessary. If it is honestly justified, decisively managed and clearly communicated.
The survey also shows that the Federal Council should now give up its additional powers during the pandemic. This is not in contrast to the clear voting victories that the Federal Council won on the Covid 19 templates, but complements them: one is willing to follow the Federal Council if the crisis demands it. But now the crisis is over, and the additional powers are no longer appropriate. At the end of March, the Federal Council will return to its normal situation.
Honesty, which pays off, and responsibility that must be borne will include working through the mistakes made by authorities at federal and cantonal level over the next few months. We will endure the knowledge, like the pandemic measures.