Photo Stefano Spinelli © Swiss Federal CouncilFrom left to right: Guy Parmelin, Alain Berset (vice-president), Simonetta Sommaruga, Viola Amherd, Walter Thurnherr (Federal Chancellor), Ueli Maurer, Ignazio Cassis (president), Karin Keller-Sutter. The ceremonial role of the president rotates annually among Federal Council members. In addition to the diplomatic duties of the president, he or she chairs Federal Council meetings and has the tie-breaker vote on contentious decisions. This year the role of president passes to Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland’s foreign minister, a role he’s held since 2017 when he became a Federal Councillor. This year the photo (above) places Federal Council members on a map of Switzerland’s rail network illustrating the geographic links and cohesion between Federal Council members along with the nation’s diversity.

Source: Le News January 07, 2022 14:20 UTC