Born in 1960, an army captain and lawyer by profession (he also served as president of the district court), Stefan Engler from Graubünden was elected President of the Council of States last December, culminating a passion for politics that had gripped him since his youth. He was mayor of Surava, now a hamlet of Albula, and for 12 years he was also a member of the Grand Council of Chur. In 1998, he was elected to the Council of States, where he headed the Department of Construction, Transport, and Forestry until 2010. The following year, he was finally elected to the Council of States, where he still serves. From 2012 to 2020, he also successfully chaired the Rhaetian Christian Democratic Party (CVP), leading it to regain its second-largest seat in the Rhaetian government. Finally, in early May, the long-awaited announcement came: after 40 years in politics, Engler will not run again in the next federal elections in 2027. The 65-year-old from Graubünden spoke about the right time to step down: "I'm at retirement age. I really don't want to still be in the Council of States at 70."
From a small municipality in the Grisons to the presidency of the Council of States: would you have ever imagined it?
"You can't plan something like this; that's why it's even more fascinating when it happens."
A life dedicated to politics: have you ever had the desire to dedicate yourself to something else?
"The political bug infected me in the municipality and hasn't left me since. It's what has always given me professional satisfaction."
Are there moments when you can disconnect from this life? What do you do in those moments?
Everyone should constantly ask themselves: Who am I without my job? Only then can you find the right distance and avoid taking yourself too seriously. I find relaxation as a fan of HC Davos, in nature, with my colleagues in the Surses Men's Choir, and during the Upper Graubünden hunt.
Can he be considered a militia politician?
"In the executive branch, as a State Councilor, you're a professional politician; as a parliamentarian, you have to do everything you can to stay connected to the people and their diverse realities. I've learned that changing perspective helps you understand the needs and concerns of others."
Is it still possible at certain levels to be a militia politician?
"In federal politics, it's difficult to compete on equal terms with the administration. But it's absolutely necessary, and it's what the population expects. Consequently, the political workload also increases."
What does being involved in politics mean to you?
"Use our influence and power to ensure that as many citizens as possible in our country have the opportunity to find happiness in life, regardless of the language they speak or where they live."
In these nearly 40 years of activity, what has changed in Swiss politics?
I have the impression that individualism leads to a loss of community and that people increasingly pursue particular interests. I hear the question more often than before: "What's in it for me?" I also find that the fear of missing out weighs more heavily than the courage to seize an opportunity. As prosperity increases, the willingness to take risks also decreases.
What struck you the most?
I'm impressed by men and women who, as mayors, members of school authorities, or other committees, put the common good above personal interest and share part of their time and lives with the community. And especially after natural events, I sense an incredible strength of solidarity and resilience, even in the most isolated valleys and small communities. This is where Switzerland breathes the spirit of cohesion.
What disappointed you the most?
Disaffection with politics leads people to distance themselves from politics and even from civic engagement. We must realize that if we don't support our institutions and reject political participation, we risk the people's power being delegated to a few in the long run. Knowing how to distinguish truth from fake news represents a serious threat to democracy.
Committed, diligent, a thorough expert in the field, calm, thoughtful... almost nothing but praise for her. Does she have a flaw? At least one...
I had to learn to say no, and who likes that? Sometimes I'm even a little naive and should be more wary. I also tend to want to be right. Need I add any other flaws? I can't always distinguish between humor, irony, and sarcasm. And that can hurt.
Repeatedly mentioned as a candidate for the Federal Council, he has never applied: has he really never been tempted to join the federal executive?
"No. I would never have been willing to subordinate my private life to my position in order to gain a little more prestige and influence."
In an interview before your election, you stated that you always adhere to the Romansh principle "igl ampresto fo chito" ("take care of what has been lent"), both in your private and political life. What exactly does this mean to you?
What is lent to us—life, language, and culture, or even a position—doesn't truly belong to us. The day will come when we'll have to return it, preferably without damaging it; and all the better if we've used what was lent to us for a good cause.
Looking at his parliamentary profile, one is struck by the few declared relationships of interest, several of which are unpaid. A very different choice from that of the majority of his colleagues: what's the reason?
First of all, even for a parliamentarian, the week is only seven days. And anyone accepting a mandate must have the necessary time and always allow for a margin of reserve. If difficulties arise in a business or association, the required time must be available. Furthermore, the public expects elected officials to serve the citizens first and foremost, not special interests.
Without delving into the controversy, Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter's accusations against UBS of "excessive lobbying" have made headlines. From your experience as a parliamentarian, do lobbies really have all the power they're credited with?
No. Lobbying in itself isn't a bad thing. In the militia system, it helps us gain knowledge from science, nature, and society. This helps us avoid being exclusively dependent on the administration. Lobbying only becomes problematic when it's used to deliberately project a false or incomplete image.
Regardless of one's opinion of their activities, wouldn't it be more appropriate to exclude their representatives from the Federal Palace and from the corridors of Parliament?
"No. It's a mistake to believe that lobbying takes place primarily at the Federal Palace."
Your native language is Romansh: how did you experience being a minority of minorities?
"I'm proud to belong to this linguistic minority. It's part of my identity. If I weren't Romansh, I'd be a different person, with a different background and a different life."
"Minority languages create solidarity," you stated in your inauguration speech. Can you explain it to us?
Minorities must show solidarity with each other if they don't want to be ignored or marginalized. This is especially true for linguistic minorities. I have the feeling that, when I meet Italian-speaking citizens of my Canton, we understand each other more quickly. because we depend on each other."
Isn't Swiss multilingualism at risk of disappearing, with the dominance of dialect in German-speaking Switzerland and the desire to abandon the study of other national languages in favor of English?
«We absolutely must prevent this. The Swiss cross has four arms of equal length, connected to each other. Multilingualism is one of our country's riches."
How can we ensure the cohesion of the country across all the borders, and therefore the divisions, that cross it?
The image of the Swiss cross is not a romantic or nostalgic statement. It is the raison d'être of our country's stability and cohesion. Languages, cultures, nature and landscapes, traditions, customs, economic diversity, lifestyles and people: all this, and much more, is reflected in the four arms of the cross.
In Ticino, we have the impression that the Grisons always manage to get what they want from federal Bern. Impression or reality?
"It's a myth, even if we Grisons like to hear it. However, I believe that in the past, minorities generally had a better chance of getting a little more attention."
Do you have any suggestions for improving the often tense relations between Ticino and Bern?
"I don't want to give advice, but I do: it would help if the border cantons, regardless of language, united more and coordinated their demands better."
You've foregone the celebrations for your nomination, saying you prefer to meet with the people in the regions. Will we ever see you in our canton?
«The Moesano, Bregaglia, and Poschiavo Valleys are part of my homeland. I'll certainly have another opportunity to meet their people. I don't know yet whether I'll ever make it to Ticino. But the way the people of the Moesano and Maggia Valleys supported each other after the floods and faced reconstruction together was definitely worth a visit.
