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Swiss Defence Minister Viola Amherd has announced her resignation, effective at the end of March, marking the end of a career spanning over 30 years in politics. The Swiss Parliament confirmed her decision on Wednesday through a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that a new cabinet member would be elected during the spring parliamentary session to succeed her.
In her resignation letter, Amherd expressed gratitude for her time in public service. “After more than 30 years in politics, more than 25 in an executive function, it is time to pass the baton on to a fresh force,” she wrote. She acknowledged the challenges faced during her tenure, describing them as “overlapping crises.”
Amherd, 62, has been a member of Switzerland’s seven-member federal cabinet since 2019 and held the rotating presidency last year. During her tenure, she played a significant role on the international stage, including overseeing a summit on Ukraine in Switzerland.
However, her time in office has not been without controversy. Amherd faced criticism from the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which accused her of prioritising the wrong areas within the Swiss army. The SVP called for her resignation, a sentiment echoed by the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP). While thanking Amherd for her service, the FDP stated that her successor must focus on “restoring the defence capability of the military.”
Amherd is a prominent member of the centrist Die Mitte party, which recently saw its president, Gerhard Pfister, step down. This development has fuelled speculation in Swiss media that Pfister may be a potential candidate to replace Amherd in the federal cabinet.
As Switzerland prepares for this leadership transition, all eyes will be on the spring session of Parliament, where Amherd’s successor will be chosen.
Melissa Enoch
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