Addressing the news conference called at short notice on Wednesday, Sommaruga said family reasons made her take the decision after her husband suffered a stroke.
Sommaruga has been a member of the government since 2010 as justice minister and then as transport, energy, environment and communications minister from 2018.
She also served as Swiss president in 2015 and 2020.
Sommaruga, who’s 62, is the second cabinet minister to announce her resignation for the end of the year, following the finance minister, Ueli Maurer.
Parliament is due to elect successors for Sommaruga and Maurer on December 7.
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The takeover of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom is nearing completion. All relevant authorities have now approved the €8 billion (CHF7.45 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk stock market plunge drags down Swiss device maker Ypsomed
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The Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, faced setbacks on Friday that weighed on the share price of Swiss injection device manufacturer Ypsomed.
Swiss press react to EU deal with mix of euphoria and scepticism
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Swiss media reaction to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU varies widely. Some are celebrating, while others worry about what is to come.
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Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has raised over CHF4 million ($4.3 million) to tackle child abuse.
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