Swiss President Guy Parmelin resigns from the Federal Council: What happens next?

Change is in the air in Swiss politics as, after nearly 11 years serving on the Federal Council, Guy Parmelin (SVP) has announced his resignation from the country’s highest executive body. The move also brings an end to his term as President of the Swiss Confederation.

Parmelin steps down after a decade in Bern

After a busy autumn session in parliament, Parmelin officially handed in his resignation on Friday, October 2. His last day in office will be December 31, 2026.

Parmelin was elected to the Federal Council in late 2015 and took office in 2016. During his tenure, he served as President of the Confederation twice, first in 2021 and again in 2026. The 66-year-old will also step down from his role as head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

In a speech announcing his departure, the Federal Councillor from Vaud reflected on how “the world and geopolitics are changing, and we must adapt. Gone are the days of simply making a phone call to schedule a meeting with a leader,” reports Blick.

With technologies and global dynamics shifting constantly, Switzerland must “take the necessary steps to avoid falling behind, [otherwise] we risk a rude awakening,” added Parmelin. Stepping down, he wants to create space for "dynamic forces in these times of great uncertainty."

What happens next?

In Switzerland, the presidency rotates each year between the seven Federal Councillors and is largely a representative role known as "Primus inter pares" or first among equals.

With Parmelin's resignation, parliament must now fill two roles: elect a new President for 2027 and a new Federal Councillor to fill the vacant seventh seat.

Parliament is expected to make a decision in December this year. It’s also looking likely that the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) will keep Parmelin’s spot on the Federal Council, meaning his successor will also come from the SVP.

The right-leaning SVP will begin by launching calls for applications. The Zurich branch of the party has already confirmed it has a handful of candidates with the “necessary stature for this office”, reports Watson, but must wait for the national SVP to publish further criteria and a timeline.