How Christiane Brunner was finished

Christiane Brunner once prevented a level of mud fight as a Federal Councilor. That would no longer be conceivable today. Responsible people show up – but one is silent.

When the successful trade unionist and women’s rights activist announced her candidacy for the state government in January 1993, the reactions were underground. Christiane Brunner looks like a serving daughter from the prostitute district of Les Pâquis, was blasphemed in the Bundeshaus. Ringier star publishers Jacques Pilet compared the Geneva politician with a Japanese car (“Toyota Starlet”).

Conservative politicians criticized that they were wearing boots instead of stilettos and no deux pièces. The fact that she was only able to wear comfortable shoes because she had been overwhelmed by a Camion as a young woman on her Solex, almost lost a foot and mutilated her leg: unimportant.

The top lawyer, who had won the first Swiss wage action before the Federal Court at 30, was discredited for external and her lifestyle. She was divorced and lived with her second husband and five sons-her own, the adoptive son and that of her husband-together: At that time, this was considered a scandal in conservative circles and ensured « Blick » headlines.

Tens of thousands of women went on the street when Christiane Brunner was not elected after a dirty campaign.

As abstruse the descriptions were, they contributed to the fact that conservative councilors believed in the existence of the photos and commented on them. Ziegler apologized months later after an internal study by Brunner for « careless statements » to photos that he never saw. Since then he has been silent – just like Suremann, who moved to the federal administration shortly after the scandal and was retired there early.

So little learned from the affair? « When sex, power and a high position come together, a certain media logic plays, » says media scientist Vinzenz Wyss: « With profiled personalities, there is always someone who wants to take revenge, » he says with a view to the cases of Jolanda Spiess and Sanija Ameti. And always a medium that is looking for the « Primeur ».

The only consolation: rumors and hate comments are now spread primarily through social media, where they can develop their own dynamics. But Wyss notes: The “lifespan” of such posts is shorter, they are taken less seriously and have less effect. Due to the algorithm, they like to remain limited to their own bubble.

Outdities or the fundamental question of whether women are qualified for high items are no longer seriously discussed – also thanks to pioneers such as Christiane Brunner.

* Catherine Duttweiler is the author of the bestseller “Adieu, Monsieur – Chronology of a Turbulent Federal Council election”.