Viktor Rossi succeeds Walter Thurnherr: a chef becomes chancellor

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Switzerland will have a new “eighth Federal Council,” and the GLP will have at least a non-voting seat in the state government. Previous Chancellor Walter Thurnherr (60) announced his resignation in September. In the future, the center representative will be replaced by a GLP man: Victor Rossi (55)

Rossi knows his future position exactly. He has been Vice-Chancellor since May 2019 and heads the Federal Council department of the Federal Chancellery. Before the elections, parliamentarians said he was the most suitable candidate.

During his speech to parliament, Rossi was overcome with emotion. He remembered his own migration background. His parents emigrated from southern Italy to Switzerland in the 1950s. It is an honor for him to be given this prestigious position. “So I can hardly put into words what it means to be standing here today,” he said.

An Italian in the chambers of the Federal Council

Another historical event is that Rossi, who has dual nationality, will in the future conduct business in the chambers of the Federal Council. The son of seasonal immigrants, he has Swiss citizenship and an Italian passport.

After school, Rossi apprenticed as a chef, then graduated from high school and studied economics and law. He subsequently worked his way up to director of a vocational school and has worked at the Federal Chancellery since 2010.

Rossi promised that he would do everything in his power to do justice to this great task. In his four-language speech, he called the digitalization of government services a priority.

GLP overtakes SVP

The SVP flexed its muscles in vain during the election of the future chancellor. So far, all chancellors have come from the FDP, the center or the SP. With two candidates for office, the SVP underlined its claim twice: in addition to Gabriel Lüchinger (46), Nathalie Goumaz (58) of the SVP also ran. She is currently Secretary General at the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Her candidacy was withdrawn by the SVP in the second voting round.

In the second round there was a competitive election, which Rossi managed to win. Rossi received 135 of the 245 valid votes, Lüchinger 103.

Lüchinger has so far been considered a fervent SVP supporter, but especially during the hearing with the center and the FDP he was apparently able to show a different side and convince them that he could also mediate as a diplomat. Nevertheless, Lüchinger was considered unelectable by the SP and the Greens due to his political position.

A total of four candidates applied for the position. Shortly before the registration deadline, the non-partisan Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, Lukas Gresch (51), announced his interest in the position.

Lord of the voting book

The chancellor is formally considered something like the chief of staff of the state government. Thurnherr described himself as the highest official. The Chancellor is an administrative official and politician in one. He plans and chairs the meetings of the Federal Council and is editor of the voting book. In the meeting of the Federal Council he may formulate motions and write reports; he’s just not allowed to vote. In his role he also appears in the official photo of the Federal Council.

The work of a chancellor is rewarded with approximately 80 percent of the salary of a federal councilor. That is approximately 360,000 francs per year. (she)

Source:Blick