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The Federal Council, consisting of two new members, distributes the departments. It should be exciting.
After the Federal Council election is before the departmental election: According to Federal Council spokesman André Simonazzi, the first meeting on the allocation of departments will take place on Thursday.
These departments become vacant
Federal Department of Finance (FDF)
Apparently Karin Keller Sutter is flirting with the free finance department – she could then leave the unpopular justice and police department EJPD. «Ms. Keller-Sutter has profound knowledge in the field of finance. I could definitely imagine this change,” says SVP Vice President Franz Grütter.
A short survey on Wednesday morning shows that major opposition is not to be expected from the other parties – a change could take place without much background noise.
Federal Department for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK)
Harder discussions are to be expected in the case of the second free department, the Uvek. This is where Albert Rösti could come into play. “Why not?” says FDP President Thierry Burkhardt: “In my opinion, it would be very positive if a new head was unencumbered by the center-left leadership of the last 27 years.”
The Green Liberals, on the other hand, have reservations about Rösti – after all, he fought tooth and nail against the energy strategy and the CO2 law.
And SP co-president Mattea Meyer also says: “The question arises as to whether a representation of the SVP in this important department – from a party that has torpedoed any climate protection measures for decades – would be in the right place.”
We fear the possibility of an SVP representation in the UVEK.
The Green National Councilor Bastien Girod puts it even more sharply: “We fear the possibility of an SVP representation in the UVEK. It would be a big risk for the environment, climate protection and biodiversity.” But he adds forgivingly: “I would also like to give Albert Rösti a chance.”
A compromise solution would be to entrust the energy to Central Federal Councilor Viola Amherd – while the finances would go to Keller-Sutter. This left the defense and justice departments for the two newly elected members of the government.
In the past, these posts often went to newcomers to the Federal Council. Political scientist Adrian Vatter considers this scenario to be likely.
From his point of view another castling is conceivable. Interior Minister Alain Berset and Foreign Minister and FDP Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis could swap places. “Berset has many trips abroad ahead of him as Federal President next year and has always been interested in foreign policy.” As a doctor and public health expert, Cassis could also be interested in moving to the interior department.
Legend:
Are Alain Berset and Ignazio Cassis swapping departments?
Keystone/Anthony Anex
What do the two new Federal Councilors say about desired departments? «It goes without saying that as the new Federal Councilor I have to take over every department. I’m happy about every department, whatever the outcome of this meeting,” explains Rösti.
Baume-Schneider would not presume to make any demands either, as she explained to the media in the afternoon. “The longest-serving Federal Councilors can elect the department first according to the rule. I don’t make any demands and I’m looking forward to every department.»
The new distribution will be announced on Thursday afternoon and it will be interesting to see whether there will be a surprise or two.