Riniker’s motto for the year is “Cohesion through diversity”
Published: Monday, Dec 2nd 2024, 16:50
Back to Live Feed
She is "a completely normal Swiss woman who has both feet on the ground" and who stands there "moved, proud and yet a little stunned" after the election: these were the words with which the new President of the National Council, Maja Riniker, addressed the Council for the first time.
The motto of the President of the National Council is "Cohesion through diversity". According to Riniker, diversity and cohesion are interdependent. One is not possible without the other in Switzerland. Standardizing everything is no better. We need diversity that lives in all directions and produces new, local, individual solutions.
This diversity is also evident in the chamber: the different languages and geographical circumstances of the National Council members at home are part of it.
In her inaugural speech, the Aargau native also spoke out in favor of teaching, cultivating and defending democracy. It is a fragile achievement, she said, which is why she wants to strengthen understanding of democracy in Switzerland. A new information and visitor center at Bern's Bundesplatz is intended to help with this. The project is currently being planned.
For the next twelve months, the FDP politician would like her colleagues in the National Council to make viable and sustainable decisions for the future of the country. "Our country needs it," said the new "highest Swiss woman". In order to achieve this, the three virtues of courage, wisdom and strength are required.
She gave her speech in the official languages of German, French and Italian. The election of the politician, who lives in Suhr near Aarau, was accompanied by music from the choir of the Alte Kantonsschule Aarau. The choir performed a medley consisting of four songs from all parts of the country.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic