A Swiss at the top of the Council of Europe?

The organisation dubbed “Europe’s conscience” is set to choose a new Secretary General on June 25. Former Interior Minister Alain Berset wants to become the first Swiss to nab the post – who is he, and what’s in store if he lands the job? Berset: a dynamic politician no stranger to the limelight Towards the end of his 12-year cabinet career, Alain Berset was one of the best-known faces in Switzerland. As minister in charge of health policy during the coronavirus pandemic, the 52-year-old Social Democrat from the French-speaking part of the country was omnipresent. Charismatic in crisis, he became a star – a sense for soundbites propelled him onto T-shirts and into songs; it also made him a favourite target of Covid protestors. Whether his legacy will centre on this Covid role remains to be seen. Berset’s overall record as interior minister is more mixed – particularly when it comes to efforts to reform the health and pension systems. His last years in office were also marked by ...