Matthias Aebischer is an experienced parliamentarian and communicator
Published: Saturday, Nov 25th 2023, 05:51
Updated At: Saturday, Nov 25th 2023, 05:53
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Bernese SP National Councillor Matthias Aebischer, who is running to succeed SP Federal Councillor Alain Berset, has over ten years' experience in parliament and over ten years' experience as a journalist and moderator. The 56-year-old describes himself as a team player and is regarded as a cross-party bridge builder.
He has a clear will to shape the future, is a team player, has a winning manner and wants to find viable solutions to important issues, such as energy policy. This is what Aebischer told the media in mid-September when he announced his candidacy.
His name was brought up several times after Berset announced his resignation. Aebischer then took time over the summer to consider his candidacy for the Federal Council. He came to the conclusion that he had all the prerequisites for the office of Federal Councillor and that he was confident of taking on the role.
Aebischer has been a politician in the National Council for almost twelve years. He currently chairs the Judiciary Committee and is also a member of the Committee for Transport and Telecommunications (KVF-N) and the Committee for Science, Education and Culture (WBK-N).
Well-connected parliamentarian
Aebischer is well connected in parliament. He is a member of almost sixty parliamentary groups on various topics such as sport, media, transport and continuing education. Aebischer is regarded as a bridge-builder who acts in a non-partisan manner. Two years ago, he made it onto CH Media's bridge-builder index, which recognized people in the National Council with a great willingness to compromise.
However, he has no experience in government. According to his own statements, he wants to make up for this shortcoming with his acquired leadership skills by chairing associations and clubs. For example, Aebischer chairs Pro Velo Schweiz, the Association for Continuing Education and the cinema association Cinésuisse. Exponents of the SP in the canton of Bern also praised Aebischer as a gifted communicator and a man with leadership qualities.
Aebischer is accused of having too little political weight. He admitted that he was not a "heavyweight" in federal politics, but also defined himself as a "middleweight" rather than a "lightweight".
SRF presenter and lecturer
Before his time in the Federal Parliament, Aebischer was a presenter of various programs on Swiss Radio and Television (SRF). For example, he presented the Tagesschau, Club and Kassensturz - and became very well known in German-speaking Switzerland as a result.
He originally trained as a teacher. Aebischer also worked for several years as a lecturer in media and communication at the University of Fribourg.
Born in Schwarzenburg BE, the Bernese citizen describes himself as a "social democratic child", as both his father and mother were party members. Aebischer lives in the Marzili district of the city of Bern.
If Aebischer is elected, the canton of Bern would be represented twice in the national government with Albert Rösti. This is the main reason why Aebischer is not considered the favorite to succeed Berset.
Father in patchwork family
His partner, the Zurich GLP parliamentarian Tiana Angelina Moser, and his family are backing his candidacy. They had both agreed that the person who could run for the Federal Council would do so and would then be supported by their partner, said Aebischer when announcing his candidacy.
Legally, there is nothing to prevent Aebischer from becoming a Federal Councillor while Moser is active in Parliament. However, various members of parliament have expressed criticism regarding possible conflicts of interest.
The couple look after seven children together. One daughter is the result of their relationship. Aebischer has a total of four daughters aged 24, 21, 14 and four. "You have to be able to manage and plan well," said Aebischer about balancing family and career. "Fire drills" are necessary from time to time.
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