Basel-based SP National Councillor Nussbaumer is the new “highest Swiss citizen”
Published: Monday, Dec 4th 2023, 17:01
العودة إلى البث المباشر
The National Council kicked off the new 2023 to 2027 term of office on Monday with speeches, the swearing-in of members and the national anthem. The Council elected Eric Nussbaumer, SP National Councillor from Basel, as its new President.
The electrical engineer, who has been a member of the National Council since 2007, received 180 out of 192 valid votes and thus achieved an above-average result. The long-term average for this election is 155 votes. The 63-year-old Nussbaumer succeeds Martin Candinas, the centrist National Councillor from Graubünden, as the "highest Swiss".
Nussbaumer's motto for his presidency was "Crossing borders - broadening horizons", as he said in a short speech. It is important to question one's own seemingly logical and entrenched position. "If you sometimes trample down your own mental garden fence, you will also find ways and solutions in the political discussion that are sustainable".
The first female Vice-President of the National Council, and therefore probably the highest-ranking woman in Switzerland in 2025, is Maja Riniker from the Free Democratic Party of Aargau. She was elected with 177 out of 195 valid votes. The new second Vice-President of the upper chamber is Pierre-André Page (SVP) from Fribourg. He received 155 out of 173 valid votes.
Pfister sees "time of upheaval"
The constituent session of the National Council was opened by Gerhard Pfister, a centrist member of the National Council from Zug, in his role as President of the National Council. In a "time of upheaval", he said in his opening speech that it was up to the Federal Assembly to ensure that future generations could "experience Switzerland as we do".
Pfister called for tough but fair disputes in the interests of the cause. Cracks "in the palisades of what is taken for granted in Switzerland" represented not only challenges, but also opportunities.
The youngest member elected to the large chamber for the first time, this year 26-year-old Bernese winegrower Katja Riem (SVP), also has her say at the constituent meeting. She brought a vine with her to the lectern. Just as the vine remains anchored in the ground with its roots, it is also the task of the members of parliament to remain connected to the population, to the will of the people, she said.
After these speeches, the 200 members of the National Council took the oath or vow to conscientiously fulfill the duties of their office.
The constituent meeting of the National Council also includes the singing of the national anthem. The 200-strong National Council did this with the help of the Bern concert choir "Ensemble Canto Clasico". After the election of Eric Nussbaumer, the "Männerstimmen Basel" sang.
54 new members of the National Council
According to the parliamentary services, there are 54 new members of the National Council, 21 of whom are women. The canton of Zurich now has one more seat than in the previous legislature - at the expense of the canton of Basel-Stadt.
On Monday afternoon, after a break, the Council began discussing the first items of business. This is part of the winter session of the Federal Assembly, which lasts three weeks.
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