The Federal Council began its annual two-day excursion to the Valais lands of President of the Confederation Viola Amherd on Thursday. The members of the government reached Sion in the morning by train, then will continue their adventure in Brig.
‘We are delighted to share this moment of conviviality and exchange with you,’ said Viola Amherd to the hundred people who came to welcome the Federal Council in the old town of Sion under a summer sun.
This school run is an opportunity to ‘strengthen ties between members of the government but also those with the population,’ she said, after having had a thought for all the people affected by the latest bad weather, ‘ here and in the rest of Switzerland’.
‘It is a real pleasure and an honor to welcome the Federal Council to Valais,’ replied the President of the Council of State Franz Ruppen. Valais and the Confederation are linked by numerous projects, such as the A9 motorway which the train carrying the Federal Council will run alongside but which is not yet finished, or photovoltaics in the Alpine environment, he added.
‘Maybe you’ll talk about it during this excursion, but in all honesty, I wouldn’t wish you that. A school race is above all designed to create and strengthen ties, to exchange, to marvel, to laugh,’ continued the cantonal minister, provoking a smile from the crowd.
‘Simplicity’
The president of the general council of Sion, Virginie Rossier, praised ‘the simplicity’ with which this meeting is taking place, ‘without excessive security protocols’. And ‘what an excellent idea to stop off in the Valais capital, the second largest wine-producing commune, at aperitif time!’.
After the speeches, photos, selfies and handshakes followed to the sound of two violins, while ladies in traditional outfits from Ayent, Savièse and Saint-Martin served the aperitif. During this meeting, delegations from the Valais Council of State, Sedun authorities, cantonal and municipal legislatures were present.
Six of the seven wise men were present in Zion. Held in Parliament on Thursday morning, Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider will join her colleagues in the afternoon.
/ATS
