Berset wants to make full use of the scope for action in the Council of Europe
Published: Wednesday, Sep 11th 2024, 10:10
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As Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset wants to strengthen democracy and support Ukraine. In an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency, Berset said that he was preparing intensively for his assumption of office on September 18. "My twelve years in the Federal Council already seem a long time ago."
"We will have to focus very quickly on the current considerations regarding the development of democracy in Europe. Supporting Ukraine is another important aspect of my future tasks," explained the Freiburg native in the interview.
However, the Council of Europe did not wait for him to function, Berset admitted. I want to maintain continuity and ensure that we can meet today's challenges, which are very different from those of 10 or 15 years ago."
Berset intends to tackle the new task with a great deal of commitment: "In politics, I only know one method: give everything," he said. The job of Secretary General of the Council of Europe is not an easy one, but that is precisely why it is worthwhile.
46 countries instead of 26 cantons
"The challenge will be greater than I was used to when I worked with 26 cantons and four languages as a Federal Councillor," said Berset. "Now I will have to deal with 46 member states, many different languages and great diversity."
However, his new position comes without the direct responsibility of leading a country. "As a Federal Councillor, the decisions made had a direct impact on 8.5 million people. That was very difficult to bear," said the Fribourg native. Nevertheless, the Secretary General's room for maneuver should not be underestimated. "The room for maneuver is very large insofar as I can develop initiatives and set goals with the teams and the member states. I will also be responsible for more than 1,800 people."
Not an easy time
However, his assumption of office does not come at an easy time. "There are countries where there are serious human rights violations, breaches of democratic principles or the rule of law. However, they remain members of the Council of Europe and are therefore obliged to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights," explained Berset. "An improvement is of course necessary."
"We are currently in a phase in which forces are drifting apart after a long period of convergence," said Berset. "Achieving a new rapprochement will be one of the great challenges of the coming years. It is a titanic but necessary task."
More Switzerland in Europe as an advantage
Nevertheless, Berset can understand that the Swiss parliament and the Federal Council have recently been critical of Switzerland's condemnation by the ECtHR for failing to act on climate protection. "I understand that you can react with a certain amount of emotion. That's the least we can do. However, I am pleased to see that the issue is being taken seriously and that the ECHR's decision is being addressed. That is the political reality of a direct democracy. The debate is starting and I think it will be very interesting."
Although Berset no longer represents Switzerland directly as Secretary General, he still sees potential for mutual benefits: "A little more Switzerland in Europe can only be beneficial for everyone. And vice versa, a little more Europe in Switzerland can also be beneficial."
©Keystone/SDA
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