Maybe it isn’t the sun that has them so rosy-cheeked: speaking anonymously, a National Councillor has suggested that the Swiss parliament in Bern has an alcohol problem. The official revealed that a large amount of beer and wine is consumed in the halls of government during parliamentary sessions, claiming that some representatives are known to be heavy alcoholics.

Swiss parliament has a drinking problem

Writing on the Substantial Project - a website that allows those affected by alcoholism to share their experiences anonymously - the National Council member said that it is an “open secret” that large amounts of alcohol are consumed in the federal parliament in Switzerland. In addition, they noted that “a few heavy alcoholics” have a home in the heart of the de facto capital.

“Everyone thinks that's normal”, they explained, adding that they have a drink five to six times a week. "According to the WHO definition, that is already in the problematic range - and I'm not one of the heavy drinkers on the council," they mused, lamenting the fact that while civil servants, councillors and journalists all know about the problem, very little is reported to the outside world. 

Beer and wine common at government meetings in Bern 

"The descriptions seem very accurate to me. I am glad that someone has mentioned it,” Social Democratic Party National Councillor Andrea Zryd told 20 Minuten. “The fact that this is apparently only possible anonymously speaks volumes."

While she doesn’t know who the anonymous representative is referring to when it comes to accusations of alcoholism, "In general, however, an enormous amount of alcohol is consumed during the sessions. Beer and wine are considered good manners and hospitality even at lunchtime."

“In the Galérie des Alpes (the restaurant in the Federal Palace) people drink at almost any time of day.  Anyone who doesn't drink is an oddity,” the councillor added. Evangelical People's Party of Switzerland councillor Marc Jost agreed, arguing that more often than not government meetings fail to provide a large range of non-alcoholic drinks. 

Drinking in parliament improves cohesion, argues SVP councillor

Others are more bullish in their support for the practice: "I am a proud member of the so-called white wine group, which is officially non-partisan," Swiss People’s Party National Councillor Andreas Glarner told 20 Minuten. A wine merchant himself, the representative for Glarus said that the "white wine group" of parliament - which has its own engraved wine coolers - “occasionally have a drink or two.”

He said, "It cannot be denied that people often and happily drink in the Federal Parliament. This promotes cohesion - even across party lines”. He added that there is "no law that prohibits speaking in the hall under the influence of alcohol... But I would never speak if I couldn't control myself. That would be very embarrassing… what happens in Bern stays in Bern."

Drinking is a part of politics in Switzerland, says SP councillor

For SP councillor Min Li Marti, politics is a profession “in which regular alcohol consumption is common…But I believe that we are also a reflection of society - and I suspect that on average less alcohol is consumed than before, just as average consumption is generally decreasing.”

Thumb image credit: Michael Derrer Fuchs / Shutterstock.com