Swiss government photo for 2023 paints united front
From left to right: Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr and Federal Councillors Albert Rösti, Ignazio Cassis, Viola Amherd, Alain Berset, Guy Parmelin, Karin Keller-Sutter and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider
Keystone / Matthieu Gafsou
Switzerland's new president sought to present a united front in the official government photo for 2023.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ds
“The members of the government are working well together despite their different points of view, and they are working together for the good of the country,” said Alain Berset, who holds the rotating Swiss presidency this year. He was previously president in 2018.
The official photo shows the seven ministers of the Federal Council and Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr gathered around a large table. The landscape in the background symbolises the outside world and how the government’s action link to the population.
Reassuring symbols
Placed on the table, a compass, a map of Switzerland and a copy of the Swiss constitution, which celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2023, represent the basis of the Federal Council’s commitment. The flying leaves, with a poem by Swiss writer Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, discreetly evoke the chaos and global tensions that seem much more present today than in the past.
“In a period of uncertainty and crisis, the photograph must be both reassuring and sober. It is intended to show the unity of the Federal Council and the good collaboration of its members, despite the different points of view,” Berset said of the image.
The photo was taken at the Bernerhof by Matthieu Gafsou. The Swiss photographer was inspired by 17th-century genre painting and the Düsseldorf school of photography.
A total of 40,000 copies have been printed. The photograph can be downloaded or ordered at www.admin.ch. There is also a videoExternal link on the creation of the photo.
More
More
What to watch in 2023: the political outlook for Switzerland
This content was published on
An energy minister in a tight spot; a foreign minister who can’t afford to fail, and a past squabble that could shake up the federal elections.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
This content was published on
Unknown assailants detonated an ATM in canton Vaud early Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to the building. The perpetrators fled the scene and remain at large.
Kudelski Group to sell Skidata division to Assa Abloy
This content was published on
The Kudelski Group is selling its Skidata division to the Swedish manufacturer of locking and security systems Assa Abloy.
Tragic weekend in Swiss waters: three bodies recovered
This content was published on
Swiss authorities recovered three bodies from local waters over the weekend, with one incident occurring in Zurich and two in Zug.
Lake Parade in Geneva attracts over 100,000 people
This content was published on
The 22nd Lake Parade and the Lake Sensation in Geneva attracted over 100,000 people in summery weather on Saturday. There were no major incidents at either event.
Graubünden storm causes significant economic damage, prompting support measures
This content was published on
The recent storm in Misox, in canton Graubünden, has resulted in severe economic damage, affecting SMEs, tourism, and agricultural land.
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.
Read more
More
Switzerland’s 19 living ex-presidents: a world record
This content was published on
Nineteen former Swiss presidents are still alive. What does this record say about the country’s political stability and leadership?
Fresh faces, old formula: Swiss government gets new ministers
This content was published on
Switzerland’s seven-member cabinet, which got two new members on Wednesday, is composed according to the ‘magic formula’ of political consensus.
Swiss cabinet agrees on new distribution of roles in reshuffle
This content was published on
The government has agreed to the distribution of new roles in a reshuffle sparked by the resignations of two of the seven members.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
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.