President Viola Amherd celebrated in Valais
Published: Thursday, Dec 21st 2023, 19:20
Updated At: Thursday, Dec 21st 2023, 19:21
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The canton of Valais celebrated the election of Viola Amherd as President of the Swiss Confederation on Thursday. A special train stopped in Saint-Maurice, Sion and Brig, where the authorities rolled out the red carpet for the centrist politician. Despite the rain and cold, many people paid their respects to the magistrate.
Amherd was touched by the "warm welcome", the contacts with the population and the performances for her. The Minister of Defense and her delegation of around 30 people, which also included the outgoing Federal Councillor Alain Berset, whom she will succeed as President of the Confederation, were welcomed to the cantonal capital of Sion to the sounds of three brass bands.
Amherd, who was accompanied by the presidents of the cantonal government Christophe Darbellay and Philippe Varone from Sion, among others, led a small procession. At the end, a crowd of children waving flags in the colors of Switzerland and Valais awaited her.
"People say that home is not just a place, but above all a sense of belonging. That's a nice idea. Above all, I feel at home when I'm here in Valais," said the 61-year-old on her arrival.
Standing ovation in Brig
The special train later arrived in Amherd's birthplace of Brig, where she was born in 1962. There, the magistrate was officially welcomed with the sounds of fife and drums. The guests celebrated their "local child" with a standing ovation. "Now I am here, where my roots are, where my political career began a long time ago," said Amherd on the church square, which was bursting at the seams with people.
Many children chanted the Federal Councillor's name as she walked past them. "Who would have thought that I would one day stand before you as President of the Swiss Confederation - at least not me," said the minister. Amherd promised that she would continue to seek dialog with all partners in her new role as President of the Swiss Confederation, "because that's the only way we can move forward".
No school on Friday
In the evening, the guests attended an official banquet in the Simplonhalle in Brig, which could seat around 500 people. The menu included a variety of Valais cheeses. Pupils and students from the canton also took part in the celebrations. Friday was officially declared a day off from school by the State Council to honor Amherd and so that the children could attend the event.
The budget for the celebrations has been estimated at around 350,000 francs. The actual costs, which will be split between the canton and the municipality of Brigg, will be announced later, the canton told the Keystone-SDA news agency. The budget for the party, which took place in Basel on Thursday for the new Federal Councillor Beat Jans, also amounts to around 300,000 francs.
Third person from Valais in office
Viola Amherd is the third person from Valais to hold the office of President of the Swiss Confederation after Roger Bonvin (1967 and 1973) and Pascal Couchepin (2003 and 2008).
Five years ago, she was celebrated by her canton and the municipality of Brig for her election to the Federal Council.
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