He was elected to the presidency by delegates gathered in the central city of Neuchâtel on Saturday.
Zeltner’s candidacy was approved by 90 delegates, with only two abstentions. He is tasked with restoring calm to the crisis-stricken organisation.
The 75-year-old Bernese is expected to take on a transitional role while the organisation carries out a broad consultation on its operations.
Until mid-May, chaired the SRC’s blood donation unit. During his career, the doctor and lawyer made his name by heading the Federal Office of Public Health from 1991 to 2009.
The SRC is Switzerland’s biggest charity (not to be confused with the International Committee of the Red Cross).
Its president Barbara Schmid-Federer resigned early June following a damning report. Schmid-Federer’s leadership style was taken apart by the independent report into the dismissal of SRC Director Markus Mader in December.This led to the resignations of four members of the Red Cross Council that oversees the SRC.
Switzerland condemned for deciding to deport gay Iranian
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Switzerland violated the prohibition on inhuman treatment by considering that a gay Iranian could be returned to his country.
Gestational diabetes found to increase risk of adult-onset diabetes
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A research team from the Lake Geneva region has identified persistent dysfunctions in glucose regulation in women with gestational diabetes. In the long term, this can increase the risk of adult-onset diabetes by up to ten times.
Swiss village must be evacuated by midday on Sunday
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The village of Brienz-Brinzauls in eastern Switzerland, which is threatened by a rockfall, must be evacuated by 1pm on Sunday. All residents must leave the village.
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A former judge of the Graubünden Administrative Court in eastern Switzerland has been found guilty of rape, sexual harassment and threatening a former trainee.
Costs and care time increase in Swiss retirement and nursing homes
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In 2023 the costs of retirement and nursing homes increased by 5% compared to 2022 and those of assistance and care at home by 7%. Together, they amounted to CHF15 billion.
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Almost half of the population in Switzerland shows clear to pronounced signs of smartphone addiction, according to a survey.
Swiss healthcare stakeholders want to save CHF300 million
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The main players in the Swiss healthcare sector want to save around CHF300 million ($340 million) in healthcare costs a year from 2026.
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Former health official ‘next Swiss Red Cross President’
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After heavy criticism of the Swiss Red Cross leadership, former health official Thomas Zeltner will reportedly be nominated as president.
Swiss Red Cross president steps down after damning report
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The President of the Swiss Red Cross has resigned for “health reasons” following heavy criticism of her leadership style.
Ex-minister called to help steer Swiss Red Cross out of crisis
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Ex-minister Simonetta Sommaruga is being called to head the crisis-hit Swiss Red Cross and has shown interest, reports the NZZ am Sonntag.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.