2012, photo by Corinne Glanzmann
Bundeskanzlei / Corinne Glanzmann
2011, photographed by Monika Flückiger
Bundeskanzlei / Monika Flückiger
2010, photographed by Alex Spichale
Bundeskanzlei / Alex Spichale
Bundeskanzlei / Michael Stahl
2008, photograph by Béatrice Devènes and Dominic Büttner
Bundeskanzlei / Beatrice Devenes, Dominic Büttner
2008, photographed by Béatrice Devènes and Dominic Büttner
Keystone
2007, photographed by Julie de Tribolet
Bundeskanzlei / Julie De Tribolet
2006, photographed by students at the Zurich Art College HGKZ
Bundeskanzlei / Fachklasse der Zürcher Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst HGKZ
2005, photographed by Marc Latzel
Bundeskanzlei / Marc Latzel
2004, photographed by Tobias Madörin
Bundeskanzlei / Tobias Madörin
2003, photographed by Samuel Mizrachi
Bundeskanzlei / Samuel Mizrachi
2002, photographed by Reto Camenisch
Bundeskanzlei / Reto Camenisch
2001, photographed by Edouard Rieben
Bundeskanzlei / Edouard Rieben
2000, photographed by Masato Yokoyama
Bundeskanzlei / Masato Yokoyama
1999, photographed by Masato Yokoyama
Bundeskanzlei / Masato Yokoyama
1999, photographer unknown
Bundeskanzlei
June 1998, photographer unknown
Bundeskanzlei
1997, photographer unknown
Bundeskanzlei
The group photo of the seven-member Swiss Federal Council (executive body) is an annual ritual. It is not just a souvenir but also captures the mood and ambitions of the government through symbolism.
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In Bildern: Der Schweizer Bundesrat im Wandel der Zeit
This year’s photo shows the seven government ministers and the Federal Chancellor (left) gathered in front of a mountain panorama. The photo was taken by Bern photographer Sina Guntern at the Federal Palace in the Swiss capital.
The photographer created the panorama herself. The ministers pose in front of a canvas showing mountains such as the Matterhorn, Monte San Salvatore in canton Ticino, the Chasseral in the Bernese Jura, and the Säntis.
Viola Amherd, who holds the rotating Swiss presidency for 2024, wanted this year’s photo to emphasise the values of optimism, cohesion and anticipation that are “particularly important in difficult times”.
Optimism “allows us to believe in Switzerland’s ability to meet the challenges of our time by making the most of its strengths”, the Federal Chancellery said in a statement on December 31.
Cohesion “enables us to shoulder our responsibilities together and take courageous decisions” and anticipation allows us to build up the momentum we need to overcome the obstacles of tomorrow, said the Chancellery.
“Many people in our country are deeply shaken by what is happening in the world,” said Ahmerd. It is essential to act decisively during these times, she said.
According to the Federal Chancellery, the photo symbolises the fact that the Swiss government defends these values and uses them as a backdrop for its actions. Around 40,000 copies of the image were printed. It can also be downloaded and ordered from the federal government website.
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