|  NEWS

Switzerland’s Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has been elected to become the country’s next president, taking on the role on 1 January.

The choice of Cassis to become the next president came as little surprise, as it was his turn amongst the government’s seven members to take on the rotating one-year presidency. He said in his acceptance speech that “we will not allow ourselves to be divided.”

Cassis is taking over from incumbent Guy Parmelin and is the first president from Switzerland’s Italian-speaking Ticino region this century, says a Euro News report. He gained 156 out of a possible 197 votes.

His principal tasks will include tackling the coronavirus crisis and improving relations with the European Union.

Back in May, the Swiss government withdrew from negotiations regarding a comprehensive package of bilateral accords with the EU that have been underway for years. Both sides failed to come to an agreement on the cross-border movement of jobseekers and other key matters.

In addition, the role of vice president will be taken on by Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset, who is predicted to be selected as president in 2023.

Berset – as the main face of the country’s coronavirus response - has been faced with extensive criticism by those in opposition to Covid measures and restrictions. Opponents blasted a requirement to provide a Covid certificate to be allowed entry into many public venues, claiming it made an “apartheid” system.

This led to a referendum in November against the law behind the Covid pass. However, 62% of people voted in support of the initiative following an unusually tense campaign.

Cassis is optimistic that the country’s divisions can be restored and insists that the people of Switzerland would become “stronger and more united than ever.”

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  • European Union,
  • Foreign Minister

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