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Politics Behind Plexiglass and Masks: 7 Observations at the Start of a Bizarre Session
Parliament meets again in the Federal Palace. Plexiglass partitions are supposed to protect MPs. And masks are “strongly” recommended, but not everyone thinks that’s a good thing.
It is not always easy to keep track of things at the Federal Palace. This was even more difficult for MPs on Monday when the fall session began: Council chambers are littered with Plexiglass partitions. Whoever sits in the back must look forward through several windows. Once again, it leads to slightly distorted perceptions among some politicians.
Meanwhile, the SP National Councilor, Franziska Roth, is proud of her voice: a colleague did not recognize her behind the mask, but her voice, the Solothurn woman laughs. It was the beginning of the session, anecdotes that all parliamentarians will probably remember.
Right support …
Much plastic: the National Council Chamber in Bern. Image: keystone
The SVP has the lowest mask usage rate of all parties. The fact that former party chairman Albert Rösti is not wearing one is understandable at the moment – the Berne National Council is too late and he is rushing up the grand staircase of the parliament building. Later he still won’t wear a mask in the lobby.
St. Gallen SVP National Councilor Esther Friedli advocates this: “You can stick to the distance rules at the Federal Palace, you don’t need a mask.” At her country inn in Toggenburg, she carries none, and to date there have been no cases of corona. “We just have to learn to live with this virus, keep a cool head and act responsibly,” says Friedli. Democracy also means showing your face.
… and left the zeal
Federal councilor in mask: Interior Minister Alain Berset awaits his mission. Image: keystone
The use of masks is recommended “urgently” in the Federal Palace. Within the council chambers, of course, among the Plexiglas panels, only a minority adhere to this recommendation. The SP tip, which is almost attached in the last row with a mask, is particularly diligent. Members of the simple group tend to be more relaxed and stay “topless.”
Smoking unmasked
Nice view: the smoky balcony in an archival recording. Photo: trapezoidal
Yes, no matter how exemplary you behave on the inside. At the latest, when you want to smoke a cigarette, it becomes difficult with the mask. And if they want to set themselves on fire on the narrow smoking balcony, they have to get closer. Parliamentarians like Christa Markwalder or Aline Trede sin for a moment.
Jacqueline Badran (SP) made it easy for him from the beginning. She rushes to the smoking balcony and throws her hands away when asked about the missing mask. “I’m totally against it, it’s not for me.”
The Kremlin in Bern
Some lobbyists have a bad rap and not all MPs are unhappy that they have to stay out at this point. But CVP’s national councilor, Marianne Binder (AG), breaks a spear for the profession. Pressure groups, such as representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, were part of the opinion-forming process in a democracy. Federal policy should not be isolated, Binder cautions. “We are not here in the Kremlin.”
Of apples and chocolate
Andreas Aebi, SVP National Councilor for Bern, has a piece of chocolate at the entrance of the lobby. “I can take off the mask there,” he explains. When asked about the fact that MPs in their Plexiglas boxes in the hall remember the cattle lined up in the barn, he replies: “No, that is not conducive to animal welfare. You must have two in a box. “
Please serve! The fruit association always brings out apples and pears that MPs can use. Even now there are plastic gloves so MPs can use the boxes in a crown-compatible way. Will the mask reduce consumption? After all, they say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!”
Freedom without advertising
The music stands are periodically disinfected. Image: keystone
The leader of the FDP parliamentary group Beat Walti and the party leader Petra Gössi speak on a sofa in the lobby, wearing a neutral mask. Amazing: The FDP was just handing out advertising masks that read “Freedom” and “Personal Responsibility.” But the FDP leadership is not carrying this message to the world today.
Sessionsromantik
Lorenz Hess does not feel particularly at home in the Federal Palace. “We are currently undergoing an attempt to create a little romantic session,” criticized the BDP National Council in Bern. I would have preferred that the council chambers continue to meet in the spacious halls of the Bernexpo. FDP National Advisor Kurt Fluri agrees: “It was quieter in the Expo halls, so we were able to wonderfully concentrate on our work.”
