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The Federal Council elections went (almost) without incident. A mood report from the Wandelhalle in Bern.
The Federal Palace is brightly lit at 6:40 a.m. The Federal Palace dome is reflected in the rain puddles on the Bundesplatz. There is still little to indicate an important day in Swiss politics – if there weren’t countless broadcast vans parked around the Federal Palace. Because at 8 a.m. the combined Federal Assembly meets to elect the members of the Federal Council.
Legend:
SRF/Saya Bausch
The calm before the storm”
About 40 minutes before the start of the elections there is still little going on in the Federal Palace. Even in the foyer it is still quiet. Only a few media professionals have reserved a workplace.
Legend:
The Wandelhalle: the place where council members meet for coffee or give interviews to media professionals. It encloses the National Council chamber in an arch on its south side.
SRF/Saya Bausch
Around half an hour before the start of the elections, there is movement in the Federal Palace. Parliamentarians arrive at the Federal Palace – including the two SP Federal Council candidates Beat Jans and Jon Pult. Their arrival triggers an initial media storm.
At 8 a.m. sharp, National Council President Eric Nussbaumer opens the meeting. Journalists gather around the two televisions in the foyer, which broadcast the events in the National Council chamber. The last council members put out their cigarettes on the smoking terrace and scurry through the foyer into the National Council chamber.
Legend:
Media professionals follow the voting in front of one of the televisions in the foyer.
SRF/Saya Bausch
The election process begins with the re-election of the longest-serving Federal Councilor, Guy Parmelin. He was re-elected with a very good result of 215 out of 246 votes. A journalist in the Wandelhalle acknowledged the result with an exclamation of “Wow.”
Three ballots required
After all Federal Councilors have been elected directly in the first round of voting, the Berset will then determine their successor. You can also feel this in the foyer: the hustle and bustle is increasing, and the room temperature is also slowly rising.
The result of the first round of voting leaves surprised faces in the foyer. Because Daniel Jositsch received the second most votes after Beat Jans, followed by Jon Pult. Journalists swarm out or chat eagerly about the results.
Samira Marti, co-president of the SP federal parliamentary group, steps up to the lectern. All the journalists immediately run back to the television and hear Marti calling on the council members to stick to the Social Democrats’ official ticket.
Legend:
The majority of media professionals are gathered around the television waiting for the result of the third round of voting.
SRF/Saya Bausch
Nevertheless, a third round of voting is still needed after the second. The tension in the foyer has now reached its peak. Journalists make phone calls behind closed doors, journalists diligently take notes.
Even before the result is announced on the screen, clearly audible cheers can be heard from the National Council chamber. Occasional applause can also be heard in the foyer. Beat Jans is elected.
The newly elected Federal Council gives an emotional speech before the unified Federal Assembly. This also arrives in the foyer. “That was a nice speech,” one can hear, among other things.
Desk faces the media, Jans in the spotlight
While a new Federal Chancellor is being elected, a crowd of media professionals forms at an exit from the Wandelhalle. The defeated Jon Pult has come out of the hall and faces the media.
Legend:
A crowd of journalists, equipped with microphones and cameras, line up in front of Jon’s desk.
SRF/Saya Bausch
Almost an hour later he gives information to the last journalists in the foyer – and disappears through the anteroom.
And how does the new Federal Council react? “What a great moment – I’m touched,” says Beat Jans to the media. What he can achieve in the Federal Palace will become clear in the new year.
Legend:
The newly elected Federal Councilor Beat Jans is celebrated on the Bundesplatz in Bern.
KEYSTONE/Anthony Anex