In the Gruyère, Alain Berset recalls that until the 19th century epidemics governed people’s lives, taking several children from every mother. Hygiene and vaccines brought them under control, but these victories are only ever temporary, and the 1970 act is no longer sufficient. He ends with Giono and “The Horseman on the Roof”, in which […]
Before the Swiss Bankers Association, Alain Berset reads out the Wikipedia definition: the reputation of the banking centre rests on the country’s political and economic stability. He adds social stability, without which there is neither. As a citizen and taxpayer, he says, he is reassured; as a Federal Councillor, he would like meetings where something […]
More than 350 health stakeholders gathered for the first time at the invitation of Alain Berset. “Von hier vorne sieht es fast so aus, als ob das Gesundheitswesen tatsächlich zu einem Wesen geworden wäre.” A benevolent being, he adds: it heals and does not bite. The system, he says, is efficient, social and reliable; the […]
The Pfeffinger Forum breaks its record: 575 registrations, the maximum allowed by the fire regulations. Last year, fog had prevented Didier Burkhalter’s helicopter from landing; Alain Berset is surprised to have arrived on time. He takes up Woody Allen’s life in reverse, “die eleganteste Reform unserer Altersvorsorge”, then sets out the actual reform in detail. […]
The RehaClinic in Bad Zurzach celebrates its tenth anniversary. Alain Berset speaks there the day after the National Health2020 Conference. “Wir brauchen eine Gesamtschau. Aber wir brauchen keine Revolution im Gesundheitssystem.” Pragmatic adjustments, step by step, so that care remains affordable for low and middle incomes. He recalls local history: at the beginning of the […]
At the Equilibre theatre in Fribourg, the Federal Office of Culture presents the Swiss Dance Awards for the first time. The Swiss Dance Award goes to Martin Schläpfer, director of the Ballett am Rhein, the special award to the Théâtre Sévelin 36 in Lausanne. Yen Han and Foofwa d’Imobilité are honoured as outstanding dancers. “It […]
The people accept the revision of the Epidemics Act with 60% of the vote. Six months after the family policy article failed to win the cantons, Alain Berset wins the vote on the dossier he defended all summer. The campaign was hard-fought. According to the VOX analysis, many voters found it difficult to decide and […]
“Ich freue mich, Ihnen die Filmförderung des Bundes erklären zu können…” Alain Berset breaks off at once: he only wanted to check that people were listening. He recounts being turned away in 1984 at the entrance to the second Indiana Jones film, too young; today he walks on a carpet, green rather than red. The […]
Lithuania holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It invites the ministers of the EU, the EEA and EFTA to Vilnius. On the evening of 1 October, the Lithuanian Minister of Culture, Šarūnas Birutis, welcomes them at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. On 2 October, at the National Gallery […]
Alain Berset receives Natalia Korolevska, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, for a courtesy meeting. Three topics: the long-term financial sustainability of old-age provision, with the Old-Age Provision 2020 reform, equality for people with disabilities, and invalidity insurance. Sources Federal Council, press release of 10.10.2013
Before the Lilienberg entrepreneurs, Alain Berset takes up the theme of political leadership in the information age. He mentions the “Living Earth Simulator” project, meant to model economic, social and ecological systems: he is already looking forward to relaxed Federal Council meetings. And he quotes Wilhelm II: “Das Automobil ist nur eine vorübergehende Erscheinung. Ich […]
The Fribourg concert venue celebrates its thirtieth anniversary. Alain Berset remembers a “permanent firework display”: like other young people from Fribourg, he appreciated the privilege of having such a lively and international stage on his doorstep. Fri-Son has grown without losing its soul; it took thirty years to move “from transgression to a certain normality”. […]
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