Conservative eurosceptic Parmelin to be Swiss president for 2026
A eurosceptic is about to occupy the Swiss presidency for the duration of 2025. Guy Parmelin, who also serves as Economic Affairs minister, will have to implement a more pro-EU course adopted under the country's consensual politics.
Geneva (dpa) – Swiss Economic Affairs Minister Guy Parmelin is to take on the largely representational role of president for next year following a vote in both chambers of parliament where he received 203 of the 228 ballots cast.
He will take on the role of president in addition to his ministerial portfolio, as is usual in Switzerland. The federation's six ministers rotate the office each year, and this is Parmelin's second period as president.
Parmelin, a winemaker from the French-speaking part of the country, is a member of the conservative Swiss People's Party (SVP), the largest party. The country has been ruled by a four-party coalition for decades.
Soon after taking office, Parmelin will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss alpine resort of Davos, where he is expected meet US President Donald Trump.
The Trump administration initially imposed a tariff of 39% on imports from Switzerland, but agreed in November to cut this to 15%, equivalent to the rate imposed on the European Union.
Difficult relations with EU
Parmelin faces awkward relations with the EU. He will have to supervise a laboriously negotiated compromise on closer ties with the 27-member bloc that entirely surrounds Switzerland, even though the SVP has rejected it.
Under Switzerland's consensus-based system, Parmelin is required to set aside party interests and uphold collective government decisions, which support closer links with the EU. The SVP is seeking to block the political deal with the EU through a referendum, which is not expected to take place before 2027.