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New Federal Councilor, new Federal Councilor, new department. Three key handovers are currently pending in the Federal Palace. The short symbolic moment involves a lot of training.
The outgoing Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer hands over the key to the finance department to his successor Karin Keller-Sutter on Tuesday. She, in turn, places the affairs of the Justice and Police Department in the hands of the newly elected Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.
The third key handover is that in the Department for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication DETEC from the resigning Simonetta Sommaruga to the new SVP Federal Councilor Albert Rösti. It will take place next Friday.
After the key comes the work
Handing over the keys is the big moment, which is publicly staged and captured by the photographers. But the actual transfer of office is more complex. Those Federal Councilors who are new to an office have to get to know the business and familiarize themselves with it.
Of course there is an exchange with the office directors and with the General Secretariat so that the newcomers can familiarize themselves with the dossiers.
There is help with the handover from the administration, as Federal Council spokesman André Simonazzi explains: “Of course there is an exchange with the office directors and with the General Secretariat so that the newcomers can familiarize themselves with the dossiers.”
New department, new carpet
When there is a change in departments, there are usually changes in personnel, especially among those people who work very closely with a Federal Councilor.
Sometimes the furnishings are also adjusted, perhaps a carpet in the office replaced or a different picture hung.
But the transition phase is not long, as the newcomers officially assume responsibility for their new department on January 1st.