Full Breakdown
Guy Parmelin to Leave Swiss Federal Council at End of 2026
By Drooid · · How we work
The Resignation Announcement
On October 2, Swiss President Guy Parmelin told a press conference in Bern that he would step down from the Federal Council on December 31. He said he had informed his colleagues during the weekly Federal Council meeting and emphasized that the decision was not driven by health concerns.
Political Career Overview
Parmelin was first elected to the seven-member Federal Council on December 9, 2015, defeating Thomas Aeschi and Norman Gobbi. He headed the Defence Department from January 2016 and moved to the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research in 2019. He served as Switzerland’s rotating president in 2021 and again in 2026, the year of his resignation.
Key Achievements in Office
- Trade policy: Oversaw the signing of free-trade agreements with India (effective October 1, 2024), Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and a modernised deal with China; supported the parliamentary approval of the Mercosur agreement.
- COVID-19 response: Managed a relatively brief nationwide shutdown of about two weeks and guided the economy through the pandemic with what he described as “gentle” measures compared with other countries.
- U.S. tariff dispute: Responded to a 39 % tariff imposed by the United States in August 2025, securing partial relief for Swiss exporters.
- EU negotiations: In 2021, announced the unilateral termination of talks on a framework agreement with the EU; in 2026 he signed the Bilaterals III treaty despite internal party opposition.
Timeline
- December 9, 2015 – Elected to the Federal Council.
- 2021 – First rotating presidency; managed COVID-19 crisis.
- March 2, 2026 – Joint appearance with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels.
- August 2025 – U.S. announced 39 % tariff on Swiss goods.
- October 2, 2026 – Public resignation announcement.
- December 31, 2026 – Planned departure from the Federal Council.
- October 23 – Deadline for Swiss People’s Party candidates to submit nominations for the vacant seat (scheduled).
- December 9 – Election of Parmelin’s successor by the Federal Assembly (deadline).
What Lies Ahead
Parmelin’s exit will create a vacancy on the Federal Council just months before the federal elections scheduled for October 2027. The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has opened a nomination window that closes on October 23, after which the party will present its candidates to the Federal Assembly for the December 9 vote. The new councillor will inherit a portfolio that includes economic affairs, education and research amid ongoing trade negotiations and domestic reforms.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I informed my colleagues this morning during the weekly Federal Council meeting of my decision to step down as Federal Councillor on December 31st,” — Guy Parmelin, swiss president