The new President of the Council of States has a flair for music
Published: Monday, Dec 2nd 2024, 18:00
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Andrea Caroni, a Liberal from Ausserrhoden, is the new President of the Council of States. The 44-year-old sees himself as a politician with heart and soul. However, he clearly rejects the often rumored Federal Council ambitions.
The clarity of the election result came as a surprise, even though many had expected him to be elected: Ausserrhoden FDP politician Andrea Caroni made the leap into the National Council in 2011 with a large lead over his opponents, including the canton's then head of finance. Since then, there have largely been no surprises. It is hardly an exaggeration to speak of a picture-book political career.
He moved from the upper chamber to the upper chamber in 2015. Caroni was re-elected - sometimes without competition - with good to very good results. On Monday, the small chamber elected him as its president for one year.
Caroni began his political career in the Ausserrhoden municipality of Grub when he joined the local, newly founded FDP section at the age of 19. The graduate of the renowned Harvard University in the US gradually climbed the political ladder.
"I am vaccinated"
What appeals to him about politics is the "back-breaking work" in the committees, Andrea Caroni told the Keystone-SDA news agency. The Councillor of States also described this work as an activity in the "engine room" of politics, which sometimes takes place away from the public eye. On the other hand, the appeal of politics lies in explaining it to the public and, above all, being in constant contact with the population.
Over the years, various media outlets have repeatedly claimed that he has ambitions for the office of Federal Councillor. "I've been inoculated," says Caroni on the subject. As a personal assistant to Federal Councillor Hans-Rudolf Merz for almost three years, he has seen the impact that the office of a magistrate has on private life in particular.
"As a Federal Councillor, you leave your private life in the checkroom," says Caroni. Even though he loves politics, family life, meeting friends and hobbies such as music, tennis and travel are far too important to him. And anyway, being a member of the Council of States for Appenzell Ausserrhoden is the "most beautiful political office" he could imagine.
Investigations into Credit Suisse
Federal Councillor or not, Caroni will next be facing a year at the helm of the Council of States. And earlier than expected. This is because Lisa Mazzone (Greens) from Geneva was actually due to take office at the start of the winter session. However, she was not re-elected to the small chamber a year ago.
In the Council of States, Caroni sits on the important Economic Committee, among others. He is also a member of the Judicial Committee, the Legal Affairs Committee and the State Policy Committee. Caroni is also involved in the investigations surrounding the emergency merger of Credit Suisse and UBS as a member of the Parliamentary Investigation Committee (PUK).
Away from his work as a lawyer and politician, the family man describes music as his great passion. But even there, politics is not completely out of the picture. In 2012, Caroni founded the Federal Parliament Band together with other politicians.
Playing electric piano at night
Caroni explains that music will also play a central role during his presidential year and will be incorporated on various occasions. The celebrations to mark his election as President of the Council of States on 4 December in Herisau will already be dedicated to music and polyphony.
In general, Caroni, who would like to be a jazz musician in a second life, wants music to play a greater role in his life again. He asked his partner for an electric piano for his election as President of the Council of States. He already has a piano. However, he is a night person. "With an electric piano, I could play the piano late at night without waking my family."
Caroni would also like to use his year as President of the Council of States to emphasize the importance of liberal democratic institutions in Switzerland. This is particularly important for him, who is "allergic" to autocracies. Caroni also wants to focus on the anniversary of the last total revision of the Federal Constitution 25 years ago.
©Keystone/SDA
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