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“All the countries around us want to go back to normal,” said Federal Councilwoman Karin Keller-Sutter. Image: KEYSTONE
Interview
Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter on vacation plans, Ueli Maurer and the mistakes made by the Federal Council
It is a great responsibility of the Federal Council. But Karin Keller-Sutter does not seem to be afraid of this. Conversely.
The St. Gallerin stays in conversation at the Bundeshaus West. He seems to enjoy taking responsibility. “Welcome to the executive,” says federal councilor Ueli Maurer, who said this week that he is not always comfortable with his skin.
Federal Councilor, have you already booked your summer vacation?
Yes
Do you reveal more?
I’m going to Ticino.
Why are the borders closed?
No, because my husband likes holidays in Switzerland. We already wanted to go to Ticino over Easter, but we had to cancel it.
When can we travel from Switzerland?
We can leave at any time, the question is whether we will be allowed to enter abroad. All the countries around us want to return to normal, I heard that in a conversation with my counterparts. How fast it can be done, no one can judge today. If a state manages to stabilize the pandemic situation to some degree, it will not want to immediately jeopardize it again by allowing many people to enter the country. I heard that clearly. We will also coordinate bilaterally.
A cook in Losone (TI) having lunch. Image: KEYSTONE / Ti-Press
Would you book fall holidays abroad?
It is too early to say something about it.
You announced relief this week. As of May 11, requests from EU / EFTA countries will be processed again. Does this make sense when unemployment increases in Switzerland?
We are still very restrictive at this time. Starting May 11, the number of cross-border travelers will increase primarily when stores and restaurants reopen. And cross-border travelers were always allowed. When it comes to applications from EU and EFTA citizens, we are only reducing the outstanding issues. These are the requests that were submitted before March 25. All these people already have an employment contract. It is also important that there is a little more scope for service providers. If we can take the next step on June 8, they would also reactivate the job registration requirement in favor of the homeless unemployed.
These are all border openings for the economy.
The main concern across Europe, as the conversation with the EU’s Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs showed, is to ensure the movement of goods and the crossing of people for labor purposes.
But there are also people who have partners abroad, for example. You cannot see yourself. Do you also offer them a perspective?
Of course, the borders are not permanently closed. Spouses and registered partners can now enter Germany today. Since May 11, family reunification is also possible again for the foreign spouses of Swiss and EU citizens.
Is it fair that cohabiting couples cannot get together?
I understand your desire to meet you. If you have children together or if someone gets sick, you can do it today. We cannot open more at the moment, it would lead to too much mobility. And if someone lives in a cohabitation or not, it just isn’t verifiable for a border guard. In case of difficulties, entry is already guaranteed today. This practice is comparable to that of our neighboring countries, some of which are even stricter.
This is difficult for those affected.
It is not my dream. But we do this because we want to control the pandemic. That is why, in addition to the exceptions that are already possible today, it is only allowing what is also of economic interest. Other mobility remains limited at the moment due to epidemiological reasons. Of course, as liberals, I hope we can return to the freedom of travel. But this has to happen in stages.
Corona buses were a lot to talk about, there were 4,000 since mid-March. Many of those affected spoke of arbitrariness.
The border guard is not part of my department. But I want to break a spear for the border guards: they do a very demanding job at a very difficult time. You implement instructions; everyone will never be satisfied with decisions, especially if they have to deny wishes.
Karin Keller-Sutter during a press conference. Image: KEYSTONE
The accusation is that there was no legal basis for the buses. The Federal Council also readjusted the regulation.
The customs administration was based on the customs law. However, in the regulation, shopping tourism is now explicitly prohibited because it hinders the work of border guards. The instructions regarding hardship cases were also readjusted so that the Border Guard had more precise instructions.
The Federal Council decides by emergency law. You can do whatever you want.
No The federal constitution still applies. The Federal Council is also a democratically legitimate body. And next week Parliament will meet again.
Is it fun to govern with the power of emergency law?
It was a necessity. It is demanding, also in terms of pace, but the Federal Council is aware of its responsibility. The discussions were carried out with great care. We have also tried to involve actors such as cantons and social partners in decisions.
Regarding far-reaching decisions, Ueli Maurer said this week: “As Minister of Finance, I no longer feel comfortable in my shoes.” How are you
All I can say is, “Welcome to the executive branch!” (laughs) Seriously: Ueli Maurer is Minister of Finance, Alain Berset Minister of Health, I Minister of Justice. But as a Federal Council, we share responsibility, even if we personally have a different opinion in individual cases.
You have no worries?
In a crisis, you certainly can’t do everything perfectly. If you are a perfectionist, you are no longer capable of acting. We make decisions to the best of our knowledge and belief. But you must also be humble and know that what we decide today depends on the current level of knowledge. Perhaps one would decide differently later.
Mason is about something else. The cure is more harmful than the disease: many in this country now believe it.
From the beginning, the Federal Council tried to find a balance. It is committed to protecting the population and their health. At the same time, we also seek to keep economic damage as low as possible. We have made big cuts. But 70 to 80 percent of our economy always worked. Now we are gradually relaxing so that the economy accelerates again. The economic damage, here I share the opinion of Ueli Maurer, is, of course, enormous.
Guy Parmelin, Simonetta Sommaruga and Alain Berset at the press conference on April 16. Image: KEYSTONE
The Federal Council has accelerated the pace of openings. Does it suddenly give more weight to economic interests?
No, this impression is not true. Because already on April 16, the Federal Council ordered the interior department to work on early relaxation in the areas of gastronomy, sports and leisure for the Federal Council meeting on April 29.
But he never communicated that. On the contrary: it angered the catering industry and caused uncertainty.
The Federal Council knows that the communication of the relaxation strategy on April 16 was not optimal. For example, the Federal Council did not clearly communicate the additional schedule and trial orders. The second deficiency was the abolition of the scope limitation in large retailers. That was well-intentioned, but poorly communicated and in the end only led to confusion. That is why we have reversed the range constraints.
The Federal Council was highly praised in the early stages of the crisis. Now you have the feeling that he has become impulsive. Of parties, associations, parliament.
That there are criticisms is in the nature of things. When the crisis is acute, everyone stays together. In closing, everyone could be treated equally, hairdressers, clothing stores, or gyms. Several factors must now be considered in the easing steps. This leads to different reasons and uneven treatment of different areas. Criticism is normal there. I also think it is correct that this is discussed. The Federal Council must be able to explain and justify its decisions.
Important processes become prescribed, juvenile offenders do not have to face prison terms, deportations stop. As Minister of Justice, you may not like that.
We have done what is necessary to ensure that the judiciary works even in crisis. We have slightly extended the vacation period, created opportunities for civil proceedings to be conducted by video. However, we deliberately did not have a general deadline. It was out of the question that the Federal Council intervene in the statute of limitations. In criminal law, we have statutes of limitations between 3 and 30 years. There is no limitation solely due to the crown. Something must not have gone optimally beforehand.
You are the daughter of the host. Restaurants now reopen on May 11, but under strict restrictions. Honestly, do you fancy in these conditions?
I will definitely be happy to return!
Have you already reserved a table for May 11?
No, but I said to my husband, well, let’s have a pizza again. We are a sociable country …
… not everyone sees it that way.
That is correct. But it is true that with us restaurant visits have a tradition. It is important that we return to social life. If you can make this possible under certain conditions, I think it is correct.
The crisis is also a matter of the head. Are people confident enough to go back to buying and enjoying beer at the pub?
It is very different, not all people are the same. But it is necessary to go to a store, to a restaurant again. The important thing is: people are free. No one is forced.
Finally back to a restaurant, many are eager for that. Image: KEYSTONE
The question that worries many hosts is: is it worth opening under these circumstances? Fixed costs are high, the number of places is limited.
Every restaurant owner has to answer that himself. But I was also wondering what my parents would have done.
AND?
Restaurant owners have different options, for example they could offer a reduced menu that does not fully open the kitchen. You see, I’m already in a high level of detail! My parents would have thought of that too. I think it is definitely better to get a job in the short term.
The limit initiative will be voted on in September. You have to relaunch the voting campaign, at a time when people have become used to closing the borders.
The closed edge is not a realistic image because we are not in a normal position. Today we have 60 or 70 percent less border traffic. If we were to continue this border regime in a normal economic situation, there would be huge blockages. I also believe that the Swiss value freedom of travel and movement.
Does the recession play in your hands?
The limitation initiative deals with the termination of the free movement of people and, therefore, the bilateral treaties that regulate access to the EU internal market. We are in recession. The world economic situation will remain very tense for a long time. I am confident that, in this situation, the Swiss will not jeopardize the conditions of the economy and therefore preserve employment.
There is life after Corona. What are you waiting for?
I hope to see friends and family and go out to eat again. And also to be able to simply get on a tram or train without thinking that the Federal Council said that you should not use public transport.
Are you observed more closely in public if you comply with the distance rules?
I am almost alone between the office and my apartment in Bern. When I’m at home in Wil, I could take a walk in the woods. My contacts and my mobility are so limited that there is not much to see. I already had a more interesting life.
How are you distracted?
Walk, cook, read something or watch a series.
Netflixen?
Yes I saw Fauda and unorthodox. We have to study a lot of files and have conversations. Sometimes I am happy to be able to immerse myself in another world.
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