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They have reached an agreement: Karin Keller-Sutter (right) leaves the role of host for the constitutional anniversary to her successor in the EJPD, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.
Peter AeschlimannFederal house editor Sunday view
Switzerland is in a party mood. 175 years ago, on September 12, 1848, the Federal Constitution came into force: the Confederation became Europe’s first democracy.
Celebration is planned since last year
The dossier for the birthday celebration of modern Switzerland is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Police (FDJP). Preparations for the big party started there last year. The motto: «1848 – an unbelievable story».
This story is told in a carefully produced film by Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP). In it, the woman from St. Gallen pays tribute to the work of the first President of the National Council, Ulrich Ochsenbein (1811-1890). We have that to thank for the “political masterpiece” that has become the foundation of liberal Switzerland – the first federal constitution. Against a darkened background, the magistrate solemnly addresses the people: “I am delighted to be celebrating this anniversary with you.”
KKS unloads itself
But nothing will come of it now. Or at least not in the way originally planned. With her move to the finance department, Karin Keller-Sutter practically uninvited herself. The new host will be her successor, Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (SP), who was only elected in December.
The finance department confirms that Keller-Sutter has handed over her membership in the patronage committee for the anniversary to Baume-Schneider. It has not yet been clarified whether a new video will have to be shot with the Jurassic woman as the narrator, says FDJP media spokesman Joel Weibel to SonntagsBlick.
No August 1 speech by KKS
The Federal Council’s castling also influences the planning of the federal celebration on August 1 in the “cradle of the Confederation”, the Rütli. Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter should have appeared as a keynote speaker for the first time this year on the mythologically charged meadow on Lake Lucerne.
Unlike former Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga (SP), who has appeared as a Rütli speaker three times in her career, Keller-Sutter has so far been denied this honor. In 2021, when two representatives of the state government, Viola Amherd (CVP) and Sommaruga, took part in the “Frauenrütli”, Karin Keller-Sutter spoke at a “Buurezmorge” in Kleinwangen, Lucerne.
While the national celebration on the Rütli was all about 50 years of women’s voting and electoral rights, this summer the constitutional anniversary will determine the festive agenda. That means: The head of the EJPD was the keynote speaker right from the start.
Baume-Schneider takes over
Until a few weeks ago, the organizers were still counting on Karin Keller-Sutter’s Rütli premiere – and then had to go over the books just before Christmas. Ueli Maurer crashed the anniversary party for Keller-Sutter last fall with his resignation announcement. Keller-Sutter’s departure from the EJPD was also a withdrawal from the Rütli.
A representative of the Swiss Non-Profit Society (SGG) told SonntagsBlick on request: “There will definitely not be an unloading.” However, the FDJP makes it clear: «Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider will take on the tasks in the anniversary year that were intended for the former head of the FDJP. She will take part in the national celebration on the Rütli.” Keller-Sutter’s finance department writes: “The two federal councilors agreed on the transfer of these tasks.”
Incidentally, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider is no stranger to the Rütli. She sat on the SGG board until she was elected to the Federal Council. In 2021, on the sidelines of the national celebration, she said to kath.ch: “It was a very dignified and inspiring August 1st celebration that got under your skin.” In 2023, Baume-Schneider will own the big stage on the Rütli – and Karin Keller-Sutter will have to be patient.