Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced Friday that he will leave the Federal Council at the end of 2026, ending his 11-year career in the Swiss government.
Parmelin said he informed other federal councilors during their weekly meeting that he would officially step down on Dec. 31. He said that after 11 years in office, he believed it was time to create space for “new forces.”
The 66-year-old Swiss People’s Party politician said he spent the summer considering what would be best for Switzerland before deciding that leaving at the end of 2026 was the most suitable choice.
Parmelin joined the Federal Council in December 2015. He initially led the Defense Department from January 2016 and later became head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research in 2019.
He has also served twice as Switzerland’s rotating president, first in 2021 and again in 2026.
Parmelin said Switzerland is in a strong position to deal with global challenges but stressed that circumstances can change quickly. He highlighted the war in the Middle East, increasing protectionism, geopolitical uncertainty, supply security concerns and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on society and businesses.
Despite these challenges, Parmelin said Switzerland benefits from strong public finances, manageable debt, an effective education system and innovative companies focused on future investment.
He cautioned that Switzerland could face serious consequences if it fails to adapt and make necessary decisions as international competition becomes increasingly intense.
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