Madam President, what are your priorities for the year ahead?
We are at the beginning of a new legislative period and there is a sense of starting afresh. So, we want to take advantage of that to address the big issues. One of those is settling relations with the European Union. That will not only benefit the people of Switzerland, but also our economy, our financial centre, our healthcare system and our standing as a centre for research. The impact of the war in Ukraine will continue to preoccupy us. The war has reminded us that security forms the basis for the functioning of our country. People in our country feel its effects in their everyday lives – the rise in electricity prices, for example, which are a burden on many households.
What are your personal goals for your year as president?
I will be guided by three main principles: confidence, consensus and foresight. We need consensus because, thanks to our institutions, we can only make decisions together; in other words, we must open towards each other. And we need the foresight to find smart long-term solutions.
And what do you understand by confidence?
We have every reason to be confident! Experience shows that we are resilient, even in difficult times. Federalism and our system of part-time public service are among our strengths. They ensure that people throughout the country get involved and take on responsibility. This means that we meet as equals and that everyone has a say in the direction we want to take.