Speculation about who will replace outgoing ministers Johann Schneider-Ammann and Doris Leuthard dominated the Swiss press on Sunday, as did calls for parliament to elect two women to the open Federal Council positions this December.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA_ATS/Keystone/cl
Representatives from Swiss political parties, especially the Green, Social Democratic and centrist parties, argued that selecting two women to replace Economics Minister Schneider-Ammann and Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications Minister Leuthard would go a long way toward closing the Swiss government’s gender divide.
That would make three of the seven members of Switzerland’s executive body women, along with Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga.
“If we can choose between candidates with equal competences, we will choose women,” declared Jürg Grossen, president of the centre Liberal Green Party. Martin Landolt, head of the centre-right Conservative Democratic Party, agreed.
“The Federal Council should reflect the population; two women is too few. It would be necessary to have at least three or four,” said Viola Amherd, vice-president of the centre Christian Democratic Party, who is herself considered to be a favourite to take up Leuthard’s Federal Council seat.
The proposal of two more women has support in the conservative right Swiss People’s Party as well. “Three women would be good,” parliamentarian Alice Glauser told the NZZ am Sonntag.
In the SonntagsBlick, Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis confirmed his preference for the election of two women but added that it is not a requirement.
If two women are elected to the Federal Council in December, Radical-Liberal parliamentarian Karin Keller Sutter is another favourite in addition to Amherd, according to French-language paper Le Matin Dimanche.
This content was published on
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will not be flying to Tel Aviv up to and including June 8 due to the current situation in the Middle East.
Italy and Switzerland agree on taxation of cross-border workers
This content was published on
The Italian government has approved the agreement with Switzerland on the taxation of so-called teleworking by cross-border commuters.
Nestlé water scandal: French state accused of cover-up
This content was published on
In the scandal surrounding the illegal treatment of mineral water in France, there was reportedly a cover-up of unauthorised practices by Swiss food giant Nestlé.
Air fleet of Swiss administration deemed too large
This content was published on
In the view of the Swiss Federal Audit Office, the size of the fleet should be reduced or the aircraft leased to improve cost-effectiveness.
MSC Cruises places CHF3 billion order for two more sea giants
This content was published on
Italo-Swiss company MSC Crociere has confirmed an order to the Saint-Nazaire Atlantic Shipyards for two ships worth around €3.5 billion.
Situation calm overnight above Swiss village facing avalanche
This content was published on
The situation in the Valais village of Blatten VS, which was threatened by a landslide, remained calm on Tuesday night. The anxiety continues, especially for the 300 evacuated residents.
Economics minister to step down from Federal Council
This content was published on
Swiss Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann will not seek another government term, and plans to step down by the end of next year.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.