Speech on the federal holiday Keller-Sutter does her duty by the book on August 1 - other Federal Councillors run marathons
On 1 August, many Federal Councillors are close to the people and travel around the country. President Karin Keller-Sutter gives just one speech - at the Rütli.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- On August 1, several Federal Councillors will travel the country and give numerous speeches - with Albert Rösti leading the way with six appearances.
- President Karin Keller-Sutter, on the other hand, remains reserved and only makes one public appearance: on the Rütli.
- Further messages to the population and the Swiss abroad are recorded - and that's all she has to do.
On August 1, many Federal Councillors traditionally show their popular side. They travel through Switzerland, give speeches, shake hands and celebrate the federal holiday with the population.
Despite the summer break, many members of government take this symbolic day seriously - some more, some less.
Take Albert Rösti, for example: the environment minister has a packed program. He holds six speeches over two days - from Basse-Vendline in the Jura to Lucerne, Goms VS, Pierrafortscha FR, Les Planchettes NE and Oberbölchen BL.
Beat Jans, Martin Pfister and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider are also making several appearances on the same day. For them, direct contact with the population seems to be an important part of the holiday.
The President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter is quite different: she only makes one public appearance on August 1 - on the Rütli in the canton of Uri. According to the official overview, this is her only appointment on site.
However, when asked by blue News, her department emphasized that further speeches are planned: A televised speech in German, French and Italian will be broadcast on SRG. Keller-Sutter has also recorded a video message to the Swiss abroad - in a total of six languages. Interviews are also planned.
According to the President of the Swiss Confederation's terms of reference, these two speeches - to Switzerland and abroad - are mandatory. This is stated in the "Aide-mémoire" of the national government. Travel to several events is not included. The speech on the Rütli therefore remains the only voluntary "open-air" appearance by the President of the Swiss Confederation.
This is not surprising. As Finance Minister, Keller-Sutter is currently responsible for the Confederation's austerity measures - and is also cautious when it comes to the federal holiday.
However, a look at the archives shows that in previous years she has rarely been in several places on August 1. While other members of the Federal Council shuttled between farmers' brunches, marquees and bonfires, she usually contented herself with a single event.
