We are greatly honoured that Federal Councillor Beat Jans will open the European Economic Forum 2026. As Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police, he will share his assessment of Switzerland’s current situation.
Beat Jans was elected to the Federal Council by the United Federal Assembly in 2023 and has headed the Federal Department of Justice and Police since 2024. Before that, he served as President of the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt from 2021 to 2023 and as a member of the National Council from 2010 to 2020. His political career began in the Grand Council of Basel-Stadt, of which he was a member from 2001 to 2011.
Before his election to the Federal Council, the ETH Zurich-trained environmental scientist held senior positions in business and the non-profit sector. He was a member of the Executive Board of Pro Natura from 1995 to 2010, served on the Board of Directors of Industrielle Werke Basel from 2010 to 2020, and advised organisations on environmental and communication issues. From 2009 to 2018, he also lectured at the University of Basel.
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