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And the winner is…

Enjoying a last moment in parliament's spotlight: Outgoing cabinet minister Pascal Couchepin (left) beside this year's president, Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz. (Keystone/Peter Schneider) Keystone
The votes finally added up for Burkhalter. (Pool/Monika Flückiger) Keystone
The other Radical Party candidate, Christian Lüscher, explains his decision to step down after the third round in favour of Burkhalter. (ex-press/Daniel Winkler) Ex-press
A face that says it all: Christian Democrat Urs Schwaller (left) watched as the lead he held in the first three-rounds disappeared. (Pool/Pascal Lauener) Keystone
Chiara Simoneschi, speaker of the joint session of parliament, is the first to congratulate the new cabinet minister. (ex-press/Daniel Winkler) Ex-press
Burkhalter is sworn in... (Pool/Michael Buholzer) Keystone
...receives a bouquet of flowers... (Keystone/Peter Schneider) Keystone
...faces the media for the first time as a representative of the Swiss government... (Keystone/Peter Schneider) Keystone
...before heading off for the official news conference... (Keystone/Peter Schneider) Keystone
...where he gives his first official statement. (Reuters/Pascal Lauener) Keystone
He took time afterwards to greet well wishers in front of parliament. (Reuters/Michael Buholzer) Reuters
There was even a chance for a family photo inside the building. (Reuters/Michael Buholzer) Reuters

Images of the first few hours after Didier Burkhalter's election to cabinet.

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The 49-year-old from canton Neuchâtel was elected with 129 votes in the fourth round of voting in parliament. His win enables the centre-right Radical Party to retain its two seats in the seven-member cabinet. Urs Schwaller of the centre-right Christian Democrats came second with 106 votes.

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