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Pfister to become new Swiss defence minister

Unsurprisingly, the centrist Martin Pfister takes over the defence
Unsurprisingly, the centrist Martin Pfister takes over the defence Keystone-SDA

Newly elected Swiss government minister, Martin Pfister, will take over as head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport from 1 April.

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The Federal Council made the appointment official on Friday as it divided up ministerial responsibilities.

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Centrist political parties wanted this department, Pfister said after his election on Wednesday. He will quickly have to prove himself and get a department in crisis back on track.

The other six Federal Councillors will remain in their present posts.

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