“Serial players” in the Swiss lotto, race for the Federal Council and Swiss pharma in the USA

The Zurich national advisor of the Center Philipp Kutter who is interested in the Federal Council, the Swiss pharmaceutical groups well positioned in the United States for the arrival of Trump, and the new radio system of the Federal Armaments Office which accuses a delay.

Here is the main information, not confirmed to Keystone-ATS:

Who for the Federal Council?

The party president as well as the head of the Center parliamentary group announced in interviews that they were giving up running for the Federal Council. Those who know him closely know that he would not be a happy federal councilor, said Center President Gerhard Pfister in an interview with SonntagsZeitung.

As a federal councilor, Zougois would lack freedom of discussion and debate.

The head of the Center parliamentary group, Philipp Matthias Bregy, also does not want to succeed Viola Amherd. The reason is his family, he told NZZ am Sonntag.

The Valaisan, however, expressed his interest in the presidency of the party. Gerhard Pfister will leave this role this summer.

The Zurich National Councilor of the Center Philipp Kutter, for his part, expressed his interest in the seat of outgoing Federal Councilor Viola Amherd. He is currently examining whether he can stand for succession as a quadriplegic, reports SonntagsZeitung. “I am considering the post of federal councilor,” declared Philippe Kutter.

His appointment would be a strong sign in favor of inclusion, according to him. His chances are good, because the disability lobby is important on the Center side, explains the newspaper. There are more than a dozen representatives there. The voices that insist on electing a woman would have difficulty being heard, we read further.

“Serial players” hit the jackpot, Loterie Romande is investigating

The action carried out by “serial players” to win the jackpot in a Loterie Romande game seems to stick to patterns already seen abroad, indicates Le Matin Dimanche. Network gamers targeted the gaming company this week.

The group probably managed to win the jackpot of nearly 3 million francs, as well as part of the additional winnings, after having played a large part, if not all of the million possible combinations, at Joker, writes the French-speaking newspaper. Loterie Romande is carrying out investigations, particularly in Geneva.

Lobbying and political support: Swiss pharma is also in Washington

Swiss pharmaceutical groups have taken a position in the United States before future President Donald Trump takes office. According to figures from the non-governmental organization Open Secrets, Swiss pharmaceutical companies are among the most active groups in Washington, writes SonntagsBlick.

Roche reportedly spent an average of $8.4 million per year on lobbying activities over the past ten years. Novartis has spent an average of $6.5 million since 2015. In addition, Roche employees have donated around $569,000 to presidential candidate Kamala Harris during the election campaign. Trump reportedly received approximately $31,560 from them.

Frying on the armasuisse radio system

The new radio system of the Federal Armaments Office is two to three years behind schedule, the project manager told NZZ am Sonntag. The cause was delivery problems. “The supplier presented us with additional costs of 47 to 50 million francs due to the increased cost of equipment,” explained the manager.

According to the German-speaking newspaper, the supplier of the radio system, which costs around 300 million francs, is the Israeli arms group Elbit. The latter also manufactures drones, production of which is years behind schedule. As far as radio devices are concerned, we are on the better track, indicated the Federal Office.

Russian oligarch recovers his millions

The Confederation has authorized the release of more than 6.5 million euros belonging to a sanctioned Russian oligarch. According to the latter, this money was necessary to pay bills due for the maintenance of two helicopters stationed in France and a property in England, reports SonntagsZeitung.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) has therefore released the blocked funds. The invoices come from contracts prior to the sanction, observes Seco in a decision. According to the assessment of several experts, the procedure was legally correct.

“dictatorial” management style: the former rector defends herself

The former rector of the Zurich Technical Vocational School (TBZ), Patrizia Hasler, has defended herself publicly for the first time. Some of the teaching staff criticize him for an authoritarian and dictatorial management style, indicates the SonntagsZeitung. During the investigation, she was reportedly let go by the Office of Education and Vocational Training.

She opposed his eviction in court and won her case. According to the administrative court, Patrizia Hasler was named as the main person responsible for the conflict “on the basis of unverified accusations and press articles”. As a woman, she was judged differently, adds Patrizia Hasler.