Wages, mobility, mobile phones, housing
Baume-Schneider and Rösti now have these privileges
Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and Albert Rösti have officially been in office since January 1st. From now on, the two Federal Councilors bear responsibility and must make decisions. But the new position also brings privileges.
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After the election, they had a month to prepare – now Albert Rösti and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider are taking up the office of the Federal Council.
At midnight, work officially began for Albert Rösti (55) and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (59) on Sunday night. Now they are officially in office and assume responsibility in their departments. It’s not an easy job – but the office also has a few amenities in store. Blick shows which privileges make life easier for the two new Federal Councillors.
Tasks, working hours and prohibitions
Baume-Schneider and Rösti are now not only politicians, but also heads of administration in their departments – and thus supervisors of several thousand employees. They will spend their working days with them. And they are not short: a normal working day for the Federal Council easily lasts twelve hours. Before or after there is also a mountain of dossiers to roll over.
The weekly Federal Council meeting usually takes place on Wednesday. According to the principle of collegiality, the members of the government must represent the decisions of the Federal Council as a whole to the population and parliament. They are no longer allowed to get involved in cantonal votes and elections.
Wife Theres Rösti: “Albert will not bend as Federal Councilor”(02:12)
Federal councilors are well paid – currently with a gross salary of 468,275.70 francs a year, to be precise. There is also an expense allowance of CHF 30,000 per year. Financial worries are spared even after the resignation. If you have been in office for at least four years, you are entitled to half your wages as a pension.
Those elected were allowed to keep their private cell phones. But because they also communicate a lot about secret and confidential topics, Baume-Schneider and Rösti have received a tap-proof device, the so-called “Tego”. However, this is rarely used in everyday life.
Most confidential conversations happen through face-to-face meetings. For written exchange, the federal government relies on the encrypted Swiss news app Threema. Regardless of the channel: from the election to the resignation, a Federal Councilor must always be reachable.
With a brief result: Elisabeth Baume-Schneider becomes Federal Councilor(01:32)
A summit meeting here, a speech there, a meeting there – as a Federal Councilor you travel a lot. They are therefore given access to a representation vehicle and a company car with a chauffeur. In addition, every Federal Councilor receives a first-class GA travelcard.
Flights are also first class. The Federal Council has two jets of its own. If these are occupied, Federal Councilors have VIP status on Swiss flights, including lounge access and everything that goes with it. In addition: You will receive a diplomatic passport, which simplifies travel.
The keys were handed over before Christmas, but so far it has only been symbolic. Rösti and Baume-Schneider only moved into their office in the department when they took office. Previously, they had a temporary office at the Federal Chancellery during the introductory period.
You don’t have to move to Bern all the way – you can choose your place of residence. However, the official seat is in Bern, and the magistrates must be able to reach it in a short time. That’s why many Federal Councilors rent an apartment in or around Bern, where they spend the night during the week.
In all apartments, the federal government covers the installation and costs of televisions, telephone connections and IT equipment such as computers. But even Federal Councilors are not immune to fees. If the Serafe bill flutters in, they have to pay government members themselves.
With 131 votes: Here Albert Rösti is elected to the Federal Council(01:10)