He is the newcomer to the Federal Council: Beat Jans has been a member of the Federal Council since December 13, 2023 and has been in office as Minister of Justice. SRF Kids children’s reporter Aurelia was allowed to visit Beat Jans in the Federal Palace and pepper him with questions.
SRF: I get up at 6:30 a.m. and eat a piece of bread. Then I get ready for school and head out. What does a normal morning look like for you?
Beat Jans: I get up at 5:30 a.m. and first drink a coffee and read the newspapers. It is important as a Federal Councilor to know what is happening in the world so that you can make good decisions.
What do you like to eat for lunch and where?
I really like having a salad plate for lunch. I often do this in my office. Sometimes I have guests. Sometimes we as the Federal Council sit together after the meeting.
When I’m in Bern, I miss the dog a little.
They are married and have two daughters. Can you still go on normal family trips like hiking?
We can continue to do that. It is very important to me that we have an exchange in the family. I am also a father and not just a Federal Councilor. This is also a very important task. I am always very happy when my daughters call.
Legend:
SRF Kids children’s reporter Aurelia asks Federal Councilor Beat Jans questions.
SRF
Can you also work from home as a Federal Councilor?
Yes, I can actually do that. At the weekend I go home to Basel and work from there.
Did you have a pet as a child?
Yes. I had one bunny, sometimes even two. Now I have a dog and I think that’s even better. When I’m in Bern, I miss the dog a little. He’s always really happy when I come home at the weekend. He has grown very dear to my heart.
I really enjoy listening to indie and alternative music.
Are you not allowed to take your dog to work?
No, unfortunately that will not work.
What music do you like to listen to the most and what is your favorite song?
I really enjoy listening to indie and alternative music. At the moment my favorite song is “Here with me” by d4vd.
You have been a Federal Councilor since the beginning of the year. We are here in the meeting room of the Federal Council. Were you nervous when you first came here?
I was very nervous. It is a tremendous honor to be here. People treat each other very formally here in the meeting room. You say “you” to the other federal councilors, even though you say “you” outside the room.
It is important that MPs and the government listen to children.
Has anyone ever accidentally said “you”?
This has already happened to me. But then I immediately apologized.
Why aren’t children allowed to vote and vote?
It is written in our Federal Constitution that you have to be 18 years old. However, there are efforts in various cantons to lower the voting age to 16. But that is a decision that the population must ultimately make.
Do you think children get enough attention in politics?
That is difficult to say. Ultimately, it is important that MPs and the government listen to the children. But it’s not easy to find out what keeps children busy. This is why youth parliaments, for example, are important.
Decisions in parliament particularly affect children.
What do you think of youth parliaments?
I think that’s a good thing. Children learn how democracy works. In addition, more and more politicians are realizing that it is important to understand what concerns children. Decisions in parliament particularly affect children.
The interview was conducted by SRF Kids children’s reporter Aurelia.