Swiss President Guy Parmelin announces departure from Federal Council at year's end

Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced on Friday that he will resign from the Federal Council, Switzerland's executive government of seven members, at the end of 2026. This decision concludes more than a decade of ministerial work and surprised observers given his influential position during a challenging year. Speaking at a press conference in Bern, the 66-year-old winegrower from Vaud explained that eleven years was an appropriate time to step aside. "The moment has come for me to make way for new energy in times of great uncertainty," he stated, acknowledging personal fatigue whilst firmly rejecting speculation about health difficulties.

Parmelin, from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, gained prominence as an effective negotiator, particularly during his tenure as economy minister managing relations with the United States. When President Donald Trump introduced tariffs of 39 percent on Swiss goods in August 2025—among his highest globally—Parmelin made three trips to Washington to secure reductions. He achieved a preliminary agreement to lower tariffs to 15 percent in exchange for a Swiss commitment to invest 200 billion dollars in the United States.

The Swiss People's Party has set October 23 as the deadline for candidates seeking to succeed Parmelin, with parliament scheduled to elect his replacement on December 9. Parmelin intends to remain in office until late on December 31, with plans to spend six months afterwards managing the transition from his position.