From Hans-Ueli Läppli
There are names that are hardly known to most people, yet echo loudly in the Swiss Parliament. One of them is Brigitte Hauser-Süess. For 25 years, she has moved discreetly yet persistently through the corridors of power, always staying a hand’s breadth ahead of the public eye. She is the “gatekeeper” of Swiss politics and has earned a position that even the most hardened power brokers respect.
But how did the former typist from the Valais region manage to win the trust of four female federal councilors and a male federal councilor over a quarter of a century? And why does her biography polarize so strongly, earning her both praise as an unwavering advocate for women’s careers and criticism as an opportunistic networker?
Brigitte Hauser-Süess’ career is not only a testament to the social change in Switzerland but also a guide on how to stay at the top despite the odds. Her life is a lesson in power – with all its components: perseverance, strategic thinking, and well-calibrated opportunism.
Growing up as the daughter of a left-wing trade unionist in the canton of Lucerne, she was instilled with a clear guiding principle: “Whoever wants to change something must engage.”
This principle later guided her into politics, where she initially made a career as a quota woman in the Valais CVP. Her role as a substitute in the cantonal parliament may have seemed unremarkable at first, but Hauser-Süess was always ready to take on responsibility – a trait that would characterize her entire career.
The ashen Cinderella of the Federal House: Brigitte Hauser-Süess’ path to power
Whoever wants power must be flexible. Few embody this principle better than Hauser-Süess. Her ability to adapt is evident in many facets of her career. She seamlessly transitioned into Christoph Blocher’s team after Ruth Metzler’s defeat in 2003 – a diametrically opposed political figure. While critics accused her of opportunism, others saw a strategically thinking pragmatist who knew how to secure her position.
Hauser-Süess also proved a master of adaptation on a personal level. When she moved to the Valais region for her future husband, she quickly adopted the local dialect – a cultural gesture that earned her much recognition. However, her adaptability had its limits: as the CVP’s women’s president, she courageously advocated for the abortion law, which made her a target for hate campaigns in the conservative Valais. The political price was high, but Hauser-Süess remained true to her convictions.
Her greatest strength, however, lies in her networking talent. Even in her time at the Federal Office for Refugees, she initiated the first women’s network in the federal administration, urging colleagues to “bring another woman along.” And that’s exactly how she built her own network: sustainably, strategically, and always with an eye on the future.
This network proved decisive for her rise to power. As a consultant to Ruth Metzler, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, or Viola Amherd, Hauser-Süess understood how to combine loyalty and professionalism. Her close relationship with Amherd, dating back to their time in Valais politics, is another testament to how she used friendship and power to her advantage.
Yet, power has its price. Hauser-Süess has repeatedly been in the crosshairs – whether for her alleged opportunism or her behind-the-scenes influence. The case of her brother-in-law, who received a high-paying job in a state-owned enterprise, particularly stirred up controversy, with her critics seeing this as proof that Hauser-Süess’ networks also leaned towards nepotism.
Despite this, she remained unassailable. Her tactic: never make a public statement.
At the end of this year, Hauser-Süess will officially step down. However, her influence will likely be felt for a long time – either through the networks she built or the women who use her path as inspiration. Her career raises the question of whether power always needs to be visible to be effective. Brigitte Hauser-Süess has proven that it can also be exercised discreetly.