Helbling named as second vice-chancellor
A senior position in the body that advises and assists the Swiss government in planning its business has been filled, the government announced on Wednesday.
Lawyer Thomas Helbling will take over as second vice-chancellor on June 1.
The post has been vacant since January 1, when a new chancellor, Corina Casanova took office. The two houses of parliament elected Casanova on December 12.
Helbling’s duties will include assisting Casanova and vice-chancellor Oswald Sigg in preparing cabinet meetings and in their follow-up.
Helbling, who is 46, studied law in Bern and London. He already has experience working in the Swiss government system, having been a personal adviser to two cabinet ministers.
In 2001 he was put in charge of the successful joint Switzerland-Austria bid to host the 2008 football European Championship. He currently works for the Swiss Life insurance company.
The Swiss chancellery is the staff office of the Swiss government. Its tasks include informing the public about government activities and coordinating votes and elections at federal level.
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