The highest Swiss honors the late Elisabeth Kopp in a remarkable way
On April 7, Switzerland’s first Federal Councilor died at the age of 86 after a long illness. National Council President Martin Candinas speaks of one of the “most remarkable and impressive political careers” in the history of our country. And he explains how the end of her career should be read from today’s perspective.
Former Federal Councilor Elisabeth Kopp in an interview with this newspaper in 2018.
Image: Claudio Thoma
The first Federal Councilor in Switzerland, Elisabeth Kopp, died on Good Friday after a long illness. This Wednesday, a memorial service will take place in her long-standing residential community of Zumikon (ZH). Around 700 mourners are expected in the small community.
At the start of the special session, National Council President Martin Candinas also commemorated the “icebreaker for the role of women in Swiss politics”. She fought for women’s suffrage, for a marriage law based on partnership, for childcare credits. Kopp was both the first mayor (1974) and Federal Councilor (1984) of Switzerland. “With the death of Elisabeth Kopp, one of the most remarkable and impressive political careers in the history of our country will go down,” says the native of Graubünden. “Kopp was a determined, highly competent head of department.” Accuracy, commitment and great persuasiveness would have distinguished her.
National Council President Martin Candinas opens the special session with the obituary of Elisabeth Kopp, Switzerland’s first female Federal Councillor.
Image: Peter Klaunzer / Key
The President of the National Council also puts Kopp’s resignation in a slightly different light. “What happened then at the end of 1988 and 1989 does not seem to be ironic from today’s point of view, but rather cynicism of history.” Candinas speaks of the fateful phone call in which the Federal Councilor warned her husband Hans W. Kopp that he was suspected of money laundering. He was on the board of directors of the company involved – and withdrew when he was warned. The Federal Councilor came under public and political pressure, after which she resigned. A year later, the federal court acquitted her of the charge of breach of official secrecy.
From today’s perspective, Candinas criticizes the public condemnation of Kopp as disproportionate and speaks of a “boiler drive”: “It was an extremely difficult time for Elisabeth Kopp.” She felt betrayed and wrongly ostracized. “Today we are aware of how important Elisabeth Kopp was for Swiss politics, what she achieved and symbolized for our state and society and what a human tragedy she is connected to.”
According to Candinas, it was an “important concern” that Parliament in particular “expressed great sympathy for the relatives, but above all our respect for Elisabeth Kopp”. Members of Parliament and visitors in the stands then rose to honor the deceased – and were silent for a long moment. (wan)
