Hannes Germann, the influential lurker – Le Temps

Published on December 24, 2024 at 12:07 p.m. / Modified on December 24, 2024 at 12:08.

4 mins. reading

He has been walking the corridors of the Federal Palace since 2002. He knows its inner workings, the political alliances and the dirty tricks too. Imperturbable, Hannes Germann navigates the vagaries of Berne with placidity and a consummate art of compromise. An attitude which arouses a certain distrust within his parliamentary group – the UDC – but unfailing enthusiasm among his Schaffhausen voters. For more than twenty years, he has been brilliantly re-elected at home.

Hardworking and conscientious, he is sometimes perceived as boring, even monotonous, by some of his peers. In 2011, the journalist Yves Petignat, columnist for Timepainted a sharp portrait of the advisor to the States: “The former teacher who became an economist remained one of those average students forgotten in the middle of the class.” He doesn't have the flamboyance of a Christoph Blocher or a Roger Köppel, that's undeniable. But he has the collegiality and elegance of the senator who slowly weaves his web, without fanfare. Obviously, it makes less noise than the verbal flights of the tribunes. For him, the most important thing is to make decisions that are useful to my canton. If in doubt about an object, I favor Schaffhausen over the SVP. Ultimately, I was not elected by the leaders of my party, but by the people of Schaffhausen.

Follow the news with us and support demanding and independent journalism

→ LAST DAYS! For the end-of-year holidays, take advantage of -25% on your annual subscription ????

Quality information just a click away. Offer valid until December 25, 2024.

I subscribe

Already have an account?
Log in