Beat Jans could give Social Democrats historic chance in economic affairs

Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans is the likeliest candidate to take over the economic affairs department after Guy Parmelin’s announced resignation, political scientist Adrian Vatter told SRF. The move would be unprecedented: no politician from the left has previously led the department, Vatter said.

Speculation about changes to the Federal Council’s departments began after Parmelin announced his departure last Friday, even though the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has yet to name a candidate to succeed him.

Jans has been justice minister for less than three years, but the SVP and the FDP have repeatedly criticised his asylum policy. Both centre-right parties are also wary of him taking charge of economic affairs. The head of business association Economiesuisse has said the department should remain in centre-right hands.

Vatter said opponents want to prevent a left-wing minister from setting his own priorities in areas such as housing and labour-market policy.

The SVP has also raised the possibility of two department changes, saying it would consider whether its candidate could take leadership of either the justice or defence department. That has fuelled speculation that Defence Minister Martin Pfister, a member of the Centre Party, could move to economic affairs. Vatter said centre-right parties and business groups would support such a move, but it would require a majority decision in the Federal Council.

By convention, the council’s longest-serving members can choose their departments. If Jans and Pfister could not agree, the council would have to vote, which is rare. Pfister took over the defence department about 18 months ago intending to stay, while the justice department is generally considered an unpopular portfolio that ministers have often held only briefly.