Former Swiss Chancellor Criticizes Federal Council's Foreign Policy

Thurnherr highlights the strengths and weaknesses of Switzerland's political system. He believes the council can improve its foreign policy by discussing global developments more frequently.

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2025 October 23 . 8:04 PM

1 min read

This is a meeting hall where we can see a group of people sitting on chairs and also two flags of... — This is a meeting hall where we can see a group of people sitting on chairs and also two flags of other countries and the desk which is in orange color and some water bottles and mike on the desk.

Former Swiss Chancellor Criticizes Federal Council's Foreign Policy

Former Swiss Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr has spoken out about the Federal Council's foreign policy and decision-making processes in an interview with Simone Hulliger. During his tenure from 2015 to 2023, Thurnherr oversaw the council consisting of Karin Keller-Sutter, Guy Parmelin, Ignazio Cassis, Albert Rösti, Beat Jans, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, and Martin Pfister.

Thurnherr expressed criticism of the Federal Council's foreign policy, stating that it often finds itself caught off guard by global developments. He believes that the council should discuss these developments more frequently to stay proactive and informed.

Thurnherr wanted to shed light on the mechanics behind the Federal Council's decisions and highlight the uniqueness of Switzerland's political system. He acknowledges that the council is a strong and well-functioning institution but also points out areas where improvements can be made.

In his new role as a Professor of Practice at ETH Zurich, Thurnherr is exploring these power structures and inner workings of Bern's federal government in his upcoming book.

Thurnherr emphasizes the importance of the Federal Council's informal gatherings in maintaining compromise and effective decision-making. Despite his concerns, he believes the Federal Council remains a robust institution, capable of navigating the complexities of global politics.