2015 Swiss Federal Council election

none thumb|300px|The official photograph of the Swiss Federal Council for 2016. From left to right: Alain Berset, Didier Burkhalter, Doris Leuthard (Vice President for 2016), Johann Schneider-Ammann (President for 2016), Ueli Maurer, Simonetta Sommaruga, Guy Parmelin and Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr. An election for all seven members of the Federal Council, the Government of Switzerland, was held on 9 December 2015, following the federal election on 19 October 2015, for the 2016–2020 term.Mombelli Armando People's Party Gains Second Seat in Cabinet https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/cabinet-elections_how-will-new-ingredients-change--magic-formula--/41825058 10 December 2015 Swissinfo 9 January 2016 Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, a member of the Conservative Democratic Party (BDP/PBD), announced she would not run for reelection after the Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) won a record 29.4% of the vote, whilst her own party received 4.1% of the vote.Jaberg Samuel Stephens Thomas Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf to Stand Down https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/exit-of-eveline-widmer-schlumpf_a-minister-who-symbolised-the-end-of-banking-secrecy/41745150 28 October 2015 Swissinfo 9 January 2016Geiser Urs Parliament Shifts to the Right https://www.swissinfo.ch/directdemocracy/political-right-eyes-gains-in-sunday-polls/41714084 19 October 2015 Swissinfo 9 January 2016 The SVP/UDC was widely expected to fill her seat in the election; it chose Thomas Aeschi (Zug), Guy Parmelin (Vaud) and Norman Gobbi (Ticino) as candidates for the seat, with Aeschi being the favourite at the time.People's Party Posts Candidates for Cabinet Seat https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/three-up-for-the-job_people-s-party-posts-candidates-for-cabinet-seat/41792260 20 November 2015 Swissinfo 9 January 2016People's Party Tightens Grip on Second Cabinet Seat https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/political-chairs_people-s-party-s-claim-to-second-cabinet-seat-is-uncontested/41747018 28 October 2015 Swissinfo 9 January 2016 Guy Parmelin, of the SVP/UDC, was ultimately elected by the Federal Assembly on 9 December 2015. Parmelin, a farmer and winegrower from Bursins in the canton of Vaud, became the first Federal Councillor of the Swiss People's Party from the French-speaking part of Switzerland.Bradley Simon Wary Press Split Over Farmer Parmelin https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/new-minister_wary-press-split-over-farmer-parmelin/41830246 10 December 2015 Swissinfo 9 January 2016 There was a minor cabinet reshuffle after the election, as newly elected Federal Councillor Parmelin was selected to become head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports, replacing fellow SVP/UDC member Ueli Maurer, who became head of the Federal Department of Finance.People's Party finally nails finance minister job https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/forming-government_people-s-party-finally-nails-finance-minister-job/41833792 11 December 2015 Swissinfo 14 December 2015 The SVP/UDC regained its second seat on the Federal Council, which it had lost in 2008, when the newly created BDP/PBD split from the SVP/UDC. Incumbents Incumbents, in descending order of seniority, including political party affiliation and department at the time of the election: Doris Leuthard (CVP/PDC), from Aargau, head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (BDP/PBD), from Grisons, head of the Federal Department of Finance (did not run for reelection), Ueli Maurer (SVP/UDC), from Zürich, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports, Didier Burkhalter (FDP.The Liberals), from Neuchâtel, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Simonetta Sommaruga (SPS/PSS), from Bern, head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police, Johann Schneider-Ammann (FDP.The Liberals), from Bern, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Alain Berset (SPS/PSS), from Fribourg, head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs. Results Source showing only the final tallies in favour of the winner of each seat: Seat held by Doris Leuthard thumb|200px|Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard Doris Leuthard (CVP/PDC) was reelected in the first round of voting. Round 1 Doris Leuthard 215 Votes received by other persons 19 Votes cast 245 Invalid votes 3 Blank votes 8 Valid votes 234 Absolute majority 118 Seat held by Ueli Maurer thumb|200px|Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer Ueli Maurer (SVP/UDC) was reelected in the first round of voting. Round 1 Ueli Maurer 173 Thomas Hurter 10 Votes received by other persons 27 Votes cast 245 Invalid votes 3 Blank votes 32 Valid votes 210 Absolute majority 106 Seat held by Didier Burkhalter thumb|200px|Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter Didier Burkhalter (FDP.The Liberals) was reelected in the first round of voting. Round 1 Didier Burkhalter 217 Votes received by other persons 14 Votes cast 244 Invalid votes 0 Blank votes 13 Valid votes 231 Absolute majority 116 Seat held by Simonetta Sommaruga thumb|200px|Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga Simonetta Sommaruga (SPS/PSS) was reelected in the first round of voting. Round 1 Simonetta Sommaruga 182 Daniel Jositsch 11 Votes received by other persons 28 Votes cast 245 Invalid votes 5 Blank votes 19 Valid votes 221 Absolute majority 111 Seat held by Johann Schneider-Ammann thumb|200px|Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann Johann Schneider-Ammann (FDP.The Liberals) was reelected in the first round of voting. Round 1 Johann Schneider-Ammann 191 Votes received by other persons 28 Votes cast 244 Invalid votes 2 Blank votes 23 Valid votes 219 Absolute majority 110 Seat held by Alain Berset thumb|200px|Federal Councillor Alain Berset Alain Berset (SPS/PSS) was reelected in the first round of voting. Round 1 Alain Berset 210 Votes received by other persons 23 Votes cast 243 Invalid votes 2 Blank votes 8 Valid votes 233 Absolute majority 117 Vacant seat thumb|200px|Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin Guy Parmelin (SVP/UDC) was elected to the Federal Council after three rounds of voting. Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Guy Parmelin 90 117 138 Thomas Aeschi 61 78 88 Norman Gobbi 50 30 11 Thomas Hurter 22 - - Viola Amherd 16 - - Votes received by other persons 4 14 - Votes cast 245 244 243 Invalid votes 0 0 0 Blank votes 2 5 6 Valid votes 243 239 237 Absolute majority 122 120 119 References Politics Switzerland Federal Council 2015 Category:December 2015 in Switzerland