The Federal Council’s free time lasted a good four weeks. It ends this weekend: the state government wants to meet again for an ordinary session on Wednesday.
A look at the general political weather situation shows that the issues that the Federal Council has to decide on did not decrease during the summer vacation. Watson shows which questions should be on the Federal Council’s agenda on Wednesday – and what the current status is.
1. Does the 1000 person limit fall?
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The daily new coronavirus infections have fluctuated in the low three-digit range for weeks. Since the “special situation” was proclaimed, it has been the cantons’ responsibility to take measures to mitigate the pandemic. At the federal level, however, there is still a ban on events with over 1000 people.
As of today, this measure will expire at the end of August. The Federal Council has thought about it and has proposed various options to the cantons on how to continue with major events. This affects not only the classic event scene – but also the ailing sports industry.
Should we extend the current ban on events, make major events subject to approval or should the ban be lifted completely at the end of August? Opinions differ greatly. The ice hockey and football clubs are trembling because of excessive measures. They fear major losses in income or even the “end of professional sport”.
Forecast: The Federal Council will not underestimate the economic importance of professional sport and will take the concerns of the event industry seriously.
One possible solution would be for major events to be permitted again under strict protective measures. The pictures of the upcoming football and ice hockey season will be historically unique because of the mask-wearing fans in the stadium curves – but it would be the only reasonable middle ground that the Federal Council could take.
2. The new Covid-19 law
The Federal Council wants to continue some of the corona measures that have already been ordered. He is currently working on a Covid-19 law because he is increasingly lacking the legal or constitutional legitimation for it, since with the flattening of the pandemic there was no longer any danger to “public order, internal or external security”.
Such a danger has so far allowed the Federal Council to adopt far-reaching measures through emergency law. The focus is on regulations in the asylum and justice sectors, culture and the media.
The Covid-19 law was under consultation in June and July. During this time, cantons, organizations and individuals were able to express their criticism of the draft law. The statements were not always factual: the conspiracy scene, with the false information that a compulsory vaccination would now be introduced, sentiment against the plans of the state government.
Forecast: The Federal Council wants to send its final legislative proposal to parliament on Wednesday. He will weaken it after even well-known constitutional lawyers criticized the expansion of power in favor of the Federal Council. The government will probably also deal openly with criticism from conspiracy believers so that they do not dominate the political debate from the outset.
3. The matter of data protection
A third point that will probably be discussed on Wednesday is how the Federal Office for Health (BAG) handles the data. It is right that authorities take data protection seriously and do not approve of every data transfer to combat pandemics.
The irritation of the cantons is understandable, however, if the FOPH does not reliably and promptly forwards the data of travelers at risk to the cantons. Solo runs like those of the cantons Zürich or Bern but are unnecessary and harmful in a state. In times of crisis, federalism should live the solidarity demanded by the people and the economy.
Forecast: The Federal Council will talk about the BAG’s corona data management on Wednesday. The government will come up with solutions so that the cantons, federal authorities and the experts of the SwissCovid task force can talk about epidemiological data in an uncomplicated manner – without the data protection authority having to criticize each time.
4. Starting shot of the voting battles
With the end of the summer holidays in many cantons, the voting battles will also gain momentum. Federal Councilor and Minister of Social Affairs Alain Berset already has the first PR date on his agenda on Monday afternoon. He will present the state government’s view of paternity leave.
In the battle for the so-called limitation initiative, four Federal Councilors will march through the country, as the CH Media newspapers reported: In addition to the Minister of Justice Karin Keller-Sutter, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Interior Minister Alain Berset are making their own appearances for submission. Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga will also publicly represent the government’s no position.
The role of the fifth magistrate will be spicy: Economics Minister Guy Parmelin – himself an SVP member – is expected to at least make one or two other statements against the initiative.
Forecast: After the canceled vote in May, political Switzerland is returning to a certain normalcy. At the end of September, voters will be invited to the ballot box on “Monster Voting Sunday”. The dispute over the arguments will start next week at the latest.
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