Interview with the presidents of the National Council and of the Council of States

What inspired you to enter politics?
My parents ran a small business in the Surselva region and at home we always talked about politics at the dinner table. When I was 18, I joined the youth branch of the CVP Graubünden because I wanted to make a difference. One of the main problems that my friends and I encountered was how to get home after a night out. We started a petition for a night bus service to be set up and it actually happened.

What priorities have you set for your year as president?
The president of the Council of States and I have chosen a common central theme for our presidential year: ‘zusammen, ensemble, insieme, ensemen’ (together). We want to show how diverse and interesting Switzerland is with its different regions. Of course, my mother tongue, Romansh, is particularly close to my heart.

What inspired you to enter politics?
I was heavily influenced by an event in my youth. I was with my mother when she went to vote for the first time and I could sense how proud she was when she entered the polling station in the old school house. At that moment I knew that we women – whether young or old – had to get involved in politics. So I was destined for a career in politics.

How do you see Switzerland in 20 years?
In 20 years, Switzerland will still be at the forefront of research and will be successfully involved in various science projects. We will hopefully have achieved the goals set out in the energy strategy. And, 20 years from now, Switzerland should continue to play a mediating role internationally in difficult situations.