The year 2022 will close with several changes in the Federal Council: the resignation of Ueli Maurer (SVP/UDC), head of the Department of Finance who will be replaced by Albert Rösti (SVP), and the resignation of Simonetta Sommaruga (SP), head of the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications who will be replaced by Élisabeth Baume-Schneider (SP) will also lead to a reshuffling of roles.

In Switzerland, the Federal Council is elected by the Federal Assembly (Parliament), with the chambers meeting. The election generally takes place every four years in December, during the session following the full renewal of the National Council.

Federal councillors and their roles

Albert Rösti (SVP/UDC), will be in charge of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (DETEC) hitherto entrusted to Simonetta Sommaruga.

Élisabeth Baume-Schneider (SP) will be in charge of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) hitherto entrusted to Karin Keller-Sutter.

Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP/PLR) will be in charge of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) hitherto entrusted to Ueli Maurer.

Alain Berset (SP) remains in charge of the Federal Department of the Interior (FDHA).

Guy Parmelin (SVP/UDC) remains at the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

Ignazio Cassis (FDP/PLR) remains in charge of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

Viola Amherd (AdC/DM) remains in charge of the Federal Department of Defense, Population Protection and Sports (DDPS).

The new departmental allocation will be effective as of Jan. 1, 2023, when the newly elected officials officially take office.

The Presidency of the Helvetic Confederation from 1848 to the present day

Swiss motorway vignette 2023 is yellow

President of the Confederation 2023

Federal Councilor Alain Berset (PS) was elected president of the Confederation for 2023 with 140 votes out of 181 valid ballots thus succeeding Ignazio Cassis.

This vote is repeated every year on the second Wednesday of the winter session of the federal chambers by highlighting a minister’s approval among parliamentarians based on the votes received.

In his speech, delivered in the four national languages, Berset stressed that the tasks will be very challenging, in a difficult environment full of uncertainties and then recalled that next year will be the 175th anniversary of the Federal Constitution of 1848.

Berset, had already taken office in 2018 and is the third Fribourger to assume the presidency of the Confederation after Joseph Deiss (in 2004) and Jean-Marie Musy (in 1925 and 1930).

Viola Amherd will instead serve as vice-president of the Confederation.

New Federal Councillors

Albert Rösti (SVP/UDC)

Albert Rösti born in 1967 grew up in Kandersteg (BE). After attending high school in Thun, he studied agronomy at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, where he received his doctorate in 1997. In 2001 and 2002, he studied at the University of Rochester in the United States, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA).Professionally, he has been active as a lecturer in agriculture, secretary general of the Canton of Bern’s Directorate of Public Economy and director of the Swiss Milk Producers Cooperative, among other things. Since 2013, he has headed the firm “Büro Dr. Rösti,” which offers advice on economics and politics. Albert Rösti has also served several terms on boards of directors and has been active in various associations. He is married and has two adult children.Albert Rösti began his political career in 2008 in the executive of Uetendorf (BE), where he has served as mayor since 2014. In 2011 he was elected to the National Council. From 2016 to 2020 he was president of the Swiss SVP.

Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (SP)

Elisabeth Baume-Schneider born in 1963 grew up in Les Bois (JU). After high school she studied social sciences, economics and political science at the University of Neuchâtel.

She has been active in social work and directed the Haute école de travail social et de la santé (HETSL) in Lausanne. Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has been committed to various associations and foundations. She is married and has two adult children.

Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has served in various capacities for the Jura Canton SP. From 1995 to 2002 she was a member of the cantonal parliament, which she chaired in 2000. Elected to the cantonal government in 2003, she took over as head of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports until 2015. In 2006, 2008 and 2012 she was president of the State Council. Since the end of 2019, she has represented the canton of Jura in the Council of States.