Karin Keller Sutter: Equal Opportunities for All Women

Let's start here: who is Karin Keller Sutter?

«I am a federal councillor, a representative of the Liberal Radical Party and I come from Eastern Switzerland. I am an enterprising person and I am grateful to be able to serve my country."

From 1992 to 2000 in the City Council of Wil (SG), from 1996 in the Grand Council, from 2000 to 2012 in the State Council, from 2011 in the Council of States and finally in the Federal Council. Is there anything else that excites you besides politics?

"The position of Federal Councilor is more than a full-time job and I have very little time to do anything else. I am a curious person and I love reading. I am also very close to my family and friends. I am passionate about boxing, which I practice once a week and consider essential to finding the right balance."

You have the reputation of being an “iron lady”. Do you identify with this definition or does it bother you?

"I don't pay much attention to nicknames, because I think that labeling people means judging them unfairly. The same was true for Margaret Thatcher, by the way. She liked to make fun of her nickname with the wit and self-irony that were so typical of her "British". On this point I agree with her: I live with it, even if sometimes it bothers me a little".

At the end of 2023 the Financial Times named her among the 25 most influential women in the world. Does she really think she is?

"The Financial Times appreciated my contribution to the resolution of the Credit Suisse crisis. I was pleased with this recognition, because in those days the Swiss authorities managed to prevent incalculable damage to our country. In any case, in Switzerland no one can concentrate on himself so much political power as to be among the most influential people in the world. Our system, which is based on a strict separation of powers, does not allow this. And I am glad that this is the case."

The newspaper says that you embody the most important qualities a politician must possess, namely knowledge, courage and determination. Is there something missing?

"Perhaps the sense of responsibility? When I think back, those days sometimes pass before my eyes like a movie. I felt and knew that we had to find a solution, and quickly. In situations like that, the weight of responsibility is felt very much. Of course, you need to have the will to take it on. This then also instils the strength needed to act."

Aren't you afraid of being judged too harsh and rigid or, if I may use the stereotype, too unfeminine?

“If by ‘too unfeminine’ you mean that women should be less assertive than men just because they are women, I disagree.”

After a somewhat complicated start (think of the Kopp case or the failed election of Lilian Uchtenhagen), the presence of women in the Federal Council is increasingly asserting itself, while men are having a bit more difficulty emerging. Is it a coincidence or are we witnessing a historic change?

"I don't think men have a harder time emerging. The fact that more and more women are occupying managerial roles is undoubtedly a step forward, but unfortunately we still can't talk about gender balance. However, we are going in the right direction."

In your opinion, is there a feminine way of doing politics?

"Each of us has distinctive traits, which depend on the family in which we grew up, on our friendships, on our religious confession, but also on the place and environment we come from. Gender also matters. All these factors influence the way of doing politics and the goal that is pursued in political commitment. However, gender is only one factor among many: it cannot be said that, in principle, women do politics differently than men. Even in this field, women are not all the same. The only thing that perhaps unites them is that they have to assert themselves more than men. This is especially true for my generation, recently the situation has improved a little."

“A just world is a world where there are equal opportunities, the same possibilities for everyone”: she declared. Are we in a just world or is there still much to do?

"As a liberal, equal opportunities are important to me. The state must guarantee them as much as possible, even if it cannot, for example, equalize different abilities. Coming back to equal opportunities: Switzerland may not be perfect, but it is certainly among the best. However, I would like to point out that there is no right to equal results. Ultimately, each of us must make an effort to seize the opportunities that arise. It takes commitment, zeal, dedication and also a bit of luck. On the other hand, we must also admit that not everyone has the same goals in life: freedom is also this."

You are an interpreter by training. Do you think that having studied foreign languages ​​and lived abroad has given you something more than the average Swiss, traditionally rather closed in his or her own little local world?

"Studying foreign languages ​​and living abroad has certainly broadened my horizons and has been very useful. That doesn't mean I'm not still firmly anchored to my roots. I remain very attached to Eastern Switzerland, my homeland, where I feel an affinity with the people and share their mentality."

How is he doing with Italian?

"Let's put it this way: I give it my all. I often get confused with French. These two languages ​​are sometimes so similar that it's easy to make a mistake. I hope people don't hold this against me."

You recently announced a billion-dollar savings program. Without going into detail, what is the state of the Confederation's finances?

"Not good: the Confederation is having to deal with deficits in the billions. This is due to the massive increase in expenditure, especially in the areas of old-age provision and defense. It is clear that we cannot continue like this. In September, the Federal Council therefore defined the key figures for the relief package, which should bring the Confederation's budget back into balance and restore financial room for maneuver. Specifically, it involves around 60 measures, especially on the expenditure front. It is clear to me that only a state with solid finances is strong and can step in and provide for the needs of its citizens in times of need. I hope this concept will take hold."

Should the population fear a decline in the quality of services?

"No, because we are not making cuts. We are simply limiting the increase in expenditure, which will remain at around 2 percent. But we have to give up something. After all, that's how it is done in families too. I repeat: even with the proposed tax relief package, government expenditure will continue to grow. What alternatives do we have? If we were to go into further debt, the government would have to save even more later. If, on the other hand, we did not intervene on expenditure and simply increased taxes in general, all taxpayers would have to tighten their belts. Both alternatives are worse than the choice made. Therefore, it is wise to intervene now to restore finances."

In 2025, you will become President of the Confederation for the first time. How will you approach this role? What will be your priorities?

"I don't like to make big statements before the nomination. I will certainly work in favor of the institutions of our country. The fact that we are so well depends strictly on their good functioning."

As future president, what do you hope for Switzerland?

"I hope that Switzerland will progress by building on the successes achieved so far."