Nussbaumer praises Federal Chancellor Thurnherr as mediator in the Federal Council
Published: Wednesday, Dec 13th 2023, 09:30
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National Council President Eric Nussbaumer has paid tribute to the departing Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr as the guardian of state institutions. Thurnherr understood and optimized the complex administrative mechanisms like no other.
"Above all, you were also a mediator who strengthened cohesion in the Federal Council," said Nussbaumer on Wednesday before the United Federal Assembly. With great psychological skill, Thurnherr had brought the different characters in the national government to a more or less harmonious denominator.
In addition, the outgoing Federal Chancellor was also always Parliament's ambassador to the Federal Council, said Nussbaumer: "You reminded the administration that Parliament always has the last word in relations between the powers." Thurnherr had mastered his tasks with flying colors: "In short, you were the person we would all have wished to have at our side, in good times and bad."
"Humor was your method of getting to the heart of things, of connecting with people," said the President of the National Council, addressing Thurnherr. "For you, humor is too serious a matter to be left to amateurs."
Thurnherr also caused hilarity in his farewell speech to parliament. You have to be careful with speeches after resigning, he said. "It is a mercy when you have realized that you have nothing more to say - and still remain silent," he quoted the former Bernese FDP member of the Council of States Arthur Hänsenberger.
At the same time, the outgoing Federal Chancellor warned that the conditions for Switzerland's political system to function are demanding. This was not primarily about laws and regulations, but about achievements such as the social balance between rich and poor, media diversity and respect for the separation of powers.
"No democracy remains one just because it has been one for a long time," said Thurnherr. Nothing can be taken for granted. International developments teach us this. Switzerland is the best country he knows, concluded Thurnherr: "Take care of it."
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