Guy Parmelin, the French-speaking economics minister, assumed the rotating Swiss presidency for the first time on January 1.
Keystone/ Valentin Flauraud
After a difficult year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, Switzerland’s new president, Guy Parmelin, has called for national unity to help overcome the many uncertainties ahead.
This content was published on
3 minutes
SRF/sb
“Our country, like so many others, has had a dark year. The health crisis has hit us hard,” Guy Parmelin said in his New Year’s Day speech on Friday.
“Many families lost a loved one and were not able to say goodbye as they would have liked. For them 2020 will be forever associated with this painful loss.”
The French-speaking economics minister assumed the rotating Swiss presidency for the first time on January 1.
Guy Parmelin was born on November 9, 1959. He comes from the village of Bursins, on the shores of Lake Geneva in French-speaking western Switzerland.
Trained as a farmer and winegrower, he focused on politics early on. After being president of the Swiss People’s Party for canton Vaud, he joined the House of Representatives in 2003.
In 2015 he was elected to Switzerland’s seven-member government. He was given the defence and sports portfolio. In 2019 he took over at the economics ministry.
In his online addressExternal link, Parmelin recalled the important work being carried out by health workers in nursing homes and hospitals. He also expressed support for people currently on short-time work and others who have lost their jobs due to the virus.
“The pandemic has changed our lives by putting people out of work, destroying traditional businesses and putting our education and health systems to the test,” he said.
Realism prevented him from making “overly enthusiastic wishes” for 2021, the former farmer from canton Vaud declared.
More
More
New president says Switzerland ‘always puts the health of its population first’
This content was published on
Guy Parmelin will assume the rotating Swiss presidency for the first time on January 1. He’s going to have a tough year.
As we move into a new year, there are still “numerous uncertainties” and the situation remains “precarious”, the Swiss president said.
But the government is doing its utmost to ensure the country gets back on its feet, he insisted.
He said he was optimistic “out of conviction” and stressed that “the country has resources” to help it recover.
The 61-year-old minister went on to underline Switzerland’s scientific and business strengths, the importance of education and training, and respect around the world for “Swiss-made” products and services.
He ended his speech with a call for national unity.
“United, Switzerland is stronger in defending its interests,” he said. “On January 1, we are opening a new page in our history. The current situation will not improve in one fell swoop. But we must not give up…the time has come to stand together.”
More
More
Swiss government photo for 2021 emphasises cohesion
This content was published on
The Federal Council photo for 2021 shows the seven cabinet members and the Federal Chancellor as a unit.
Have you heard something about Swiss diplomacy that you’d like us to fact check?
Not all information circulating about Switzerland’s foreign relations is accurate or well understood. Tell us what you'd like us to fact check or clarify.
Swiss man found dead in Iranian prison had allegedly collected soil samples
This content was published on
The Swiss man who died in an Iranian prison is said to have secretly taken soil samples beforehand, according to Iranian media.
This content was published on
Hackers have attacked the Swiss federal administration. Among other things, telephones, email and various federal websites and specialist applications were affected.
More and more Swiss celebrities and institutions leaving X
This content was published on
The short messaging service X has also lost its reputation in Switzerland. More and more personalities and institutions are turning their backs on tech billionaire Elon Musk's platform.
Driver going wrong way causes accident in Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
A 76-year-old driver going in the wrong direction caused a head-on collision on the A2 motorway in canton Uri on Friday. Five people were injured.
Opponents of Crans-Montana ski work appeal to Federal Court
This content was published on
Opponents of the new finishing area stadium for the national piste in Crans-Montana, site of the 2027 Alpine World Ski Championships, have appealed to the Swiss Federal Court.
Environmental responsibility initiative goes too far for Swiss government
This content was published on
Natural resources must be conserved, but not to the extent demanded by the environmental responsibility initiative, say the Swiss government and parliament.
SWISS plane back in Zurich after emergency landing in Austria
This content was published on
Two-and-a-half weeks after an emergency landing in Graz in which a crew member died, the SWISS Airbus involved has returned to Zurich.
Bern scientists recover ice core dating back 1.2 million years
This content was published on
An international research team with Swiss participation has successfully recovered the oldest ice from the Antarctic to date.
Switzerland’s 20 living ex-presidents: a world record
This content was published on
Twenty former Swiss presidents are still alive. What does this record say about the country’s political stability and leadership?
This content was published on
The Swiss press have given Guy Parmelin, the new cabinet minister, a cautious welcome. Several question whether he has what it takes to help lead the country. Many agree it is now up to the conservative right Swiss People’s Party to change its ways.
This content was published on
The conservative right Swiss People’s Party has, as expected, filled the cabinet seat vacated by Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf.
Join the conversation!