Hans Sturzenegger is the mayor of a small provincial town in Switzerland. A middle class widower and a liberal, he is respected in local politics by friend and foe alike. However, the political system has made him indolent. He loses a great deal of credibility when, during a conflict over an illegally occupied building, a respected member of his own party is exposed as a real estate speculator. The death of his best friend gives rise to rumors that he is homosexual, and he resigns from office.