Laurent Kurth: 'Reconversion is not as simple as some think!'

Two years after stepping down from Neuchâtel's State Council, Laurent Kurth appears content. He met with Le Temps at a café near the castle he served for 11 years as minister of finance and health. Kurth stated he initially wanted distance from his former role but now returns for official events with no nostalgia or regrets.

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To reconvert, it's not as simple as some people think!

He explained his departure in August 2023, before his term ended, stemmed from a feeling that a cycle had concluded. He and his colleagues had achieved cohesion, implemented reforms, and provided clear direction for the government. Kurth felt there was no longer a pressing need or ambition for transformation, which no longer aligned with his own goals.

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At first, I really wanted to distance myself. I return today with pleasure for official events, without nostalgia or regrets.

Kurth humorously described his departure as "almost therapeutic, if we consider that politicians are sick people." He had a long-held dream of cycling from Neuchâtel to Porto, a journey he undertook but cut short after a month in Bilbao due to unfavorable weather. He reflected on the demands of public service, stating, "I was never sensitive to the honors of the function, but I was sensitive to the expectations of the population and I set a very high level of demand for myself. That ended up guiding my way of being and I forgot myself a little. I needed to take off the suit and find the individual again."

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There was no longer a felt necessity or ambition to transform things and that suited me less.