Amherd resigns from Federal Council

Thursday, 16 January 2025 06:30

There’s a vacancy in the Federal Council after the defence minister Viola Amherd announced she’s resigning.

The 62-year-old has been part of the government since 2019.

There’d been speculation that Amherd would step down for some time.

It makes her six-year term shorter than average – it’s common to stay a member of government for more than 10 years.

She’ll remain in her post until her successor is selected.

That’s done by parliament who will be voting on nominations in the spring session which starts in March.

More from Bitesize News

Lausanne bike shelters get an upgrade

Lausanne's grey metal Vélobox bike shelters, mocked as "Soviet bunkers" since their rollout in January, are getting an artistic makeover
Cook from Vaud goes global

A 31-year-old Vaudois cook is finding a global audience for a very local idea — low-calorie versions of classic comfort food
Lake Zurich at record low

Lake Zurich is at its lowest level ever recorded, 22 centimetres below the previous 1952 low
Ticks more prevalent in Switzerland

Ticks are moving to higher altitudes in Switzerland, with researchers now recording them at up to 2,300 metres
Winter flu wave expected

The Federal Office of Public Health expects Switzerland's flu wave to hit from mid-December, but some vaccine deliveries are already running late
Cross border gun burglaries

French criminal networks are recruiting teenagers on Snapchat and TikTok to break into Swiss gun shops and feed the black market across the border