BERN, SWITZERLAND – The new Swiss Federal Council, sometimes referred to as the Cabinet, officially stepped into their jobs 1 January, with Ueli Maurer as the new Swiss president. The year-long post rotates among the members of the council.
Photographer: Ulrich Liechti
Swiss Federal Council (cabinet) 2013, left to right: Johann N Schneider-Ammann, Simonetta Sommaruga, Didier Burkhalter (vice-president), Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, President Ueli Maurer, Alain Berset, Doris Leuthard and Swiss Confederation Chancellor (not a member of the cabinet) Corina Casanova
Alain Berset was elected to the council by parliament in December 2012 as the newest member, with Geneva’s Micheline Calmy-Rey retiring.
Ministry assignments
Johann N Schneider-Ammann - Economy, Education and Research
Simonetta Sommaruga - Justice and Police
Didier Burkhalter – Foreign Affairs
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf - Finance
Ueli Maurer - Defense, Protection of the Population and Sports
Alain Berset – Department of the Interior
Doris Leuthard - Environment, Transport, Energy and Education
