March 12, 2025|
AI
|9 months agoMartin Pfister Takes Defense Portfolio Amid Leadership Exodus
Switzerland faces significant leadership transition as new Federal Council member Martin Pfister inherits defense ministry amid simultaneous departures of army and intelligence chiefs.
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Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
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- Martin Pfister has been elected to the Swiss Federal Council, succeeding Viola Amherd.
- Pfister is the Health Minister of Canton Zug, a historian, and a former colonel.
- Army Chief Thomas Süssli and Intelligence Chief Christian Dussey have both resigned.
- Pfister defeated farmers' lobbyist Markus Ritter in the election.
- Central Switzerland has not had a representative on the Federal Council since 2003.
By The Numbers
134
votes
2
women
2026
year
3
key leaders
They Said
"I know the barracks better than the Federal Palace."
"Switzerland’s founding principles of trust, cooperation and stability have recently been weakened."