Swiss minister to step down

Doris Leuthard has headed the ministry for the environment, transport, energy and communications since 2010. Keystone/Peter Klaunzer

Doris Leuthard, a member of the Swiss Federal Council, is stepping down at the end of this year.

“I look forward to the last three months, and I will commit myself right up to the last minute,” Leuthard promised at a media conference in Bern on Thursday morning.

As one of the seven members of the Federal Council, LeuthardExternal link is responsible for environmental, transport, energy and communications issues. She held the rotating Swiss presidency in 2010 and 2017.

“I was very happy to do this job,” she said, her voice full of emotion. Speaking in German, French and Italian, she thanked her colleagues and paid tribute to their professionalism.

“Switzerland is an economically powerful country. It has changed a lot in ten years. It is important to keep a balance between the different interests and not to seek confrontation,” said Leuthard, hinting that this would be one of the challenges of the next legislature. The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2019.

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Doris Leuthard, head of Switzerland’s Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, pictured on April 30, 2018 (Keystone/Alexandra Wey) Keystone/Alexandra Wey

Being congratulated by Senator Franz Wicki upon her election as a Federal Councillor on June 14, 2006 (Keystone/Monika Flueckiger) Keystone/Monika Flueckiger

Doris Leuthard (left), at a festival for Swiss national dress in 2010 (Keystone/Urs Flueeler) Keystone/Urs Flueeler

Doris Leuthard (right) with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a gala dinner in 2017 (Keystone/Peter Klaunzer) Keystone/Peter Klaunzer

Doris Leuthard with husband Roland Hausin (left) and Walter Thurnherr, 2016 (Keystone/Anthony Anex) Keystone/Anthony Anex

Presenting the prize for Best Feature Film at the Swiss Film Prize Quartz, 2011 (Keystone/Sigi Tischler) Keystone/Sigi Tischler

Doris Leuthard at the opening ceremony of the Bear Park in Arosa in August 2018 (Keystone/Christian Merz) Keystone/Christian Merz

In 2010, shaking hands with British Prime Minister David Cameron at the “Private Dining Room” in the Hotel Dolder in Zurich (Keystone/Ennio Leanza) Keystone/Ennio Leanza

Doris Leuthard visiting the Chillon Viaduct after a press conference on traffic flow and national road construction sites in 2015 (Keystone/Chrisitian Brun) Keystone/Chrisitian Brun

As Swiss President, Doris Leuthard being escorted by King Harald of Norway during a two-day state visit to Norway (Keystone) Keystone

Doris Leuthard (right), during a tour of ABB’s semiconductor production hall in 2010 (Keystone/Urs Flueeler) Keystone/Urs Flueeler

In conversation with US President Barack Obama during the Nuclear Security Summit at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, in 2010 (Keystone/Michael Reynolds) Keystone/Michael Reynolds

With German Chancellor Angela Merkel and a robot called “Justin” during the opening of the International Air Show ILA in Berlin in 2010 (Keystone/Jens Meyer) Keystone/Jens Meyer

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Longest-serving minister

Leuthard, 55, has been in the Federal Council, the Swiss executive body, for over 12 years – the longest of the seven current ministers. She was elected on June 14, 2006, taking over from her party colleague Joseph Deiss.

Prior to her current cabinet seat, she headed the economics ministry from 2006 to 2010. When she joined the cabinet, she was president of the centre-right Christian Democratic Party, having served as a parliamentarian from 1999 to 2006.

Her resignation comes just two days after Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann announced his retirement. She acknowledged that it was perhaps less-than-ideal for the seven-member cabinet. However, she pointed out that even if she were to stay for another year, at any time there could be a double departure of ministers.

Popular politician

Leuthard, from canton Aargau in northern Switzerland, has always been one of the most popular ministers in government and has almost never been defeated at the polls.

“I won 16 votes out of 18 because the population showed maturity,” she said. “Contact with the citizens was very important.”

She will probably be best remembered for her contribution to creating Switzerland’s Energy Strategy 2050, approved by nearly 60% of voters last year. One of its key elements is to phase out nuclear power in Switzerland.

More recently, her department has had to deal with a scandal after an audit found that PostBus had been manipulating accounts.

Next in line?

Without elaborating, Leuthard said it was time for “new, fresh forces” to join the government. The question is, who should take the seats left vacant by Leuthard and Schneider-Ammann? After the latter announced his retirement on Tuesday, the Swiss media called for him to be replaced by a woman for the sake of gender balance within the seven-member cabinet. Replacements will likely be chosen in early December.

Currently, there are two female federal councillors: Leuthard and Justice Minister Simonetta SommarugaExternal link. In 2010, Sommaruga’s election brought a first-time majority, which lasted until 2011, when Micheline Calmy-Rey retired.