The President of Switzerland is not actually the head of this state, since these functions are collectively performed by all members of the federal government. But the president's voice becomes decisive when it comes to discussing current affairs. The term during which the President of Switzerland fulfills his duties is rather short - only one year. In 2014, Didier Burkhalter took over this position.
Didier Burkhalter - President of Switzerland for 2014
According to the established tradition, the President of Switzerland is elected from the government of the country for a period of one year. During this time, he fulfills his duties without leaving his previous position. The functions of the president are, as a rule, representative. He addresses the country on holidays, attends the opening of official events, and visits foreign countries.
In early January 2014, Didier Burkhalter took over as President of Switzerland. The elections, which took place in December of the previous year, provided the new president with almost ninety percent of the votes of the members of parliament. Prior to that, the president was Swiss Defense Minister Uli Maurer, who represented the right-wing Swiss People's Party.
Didier Burkhalter was born in 1960, and entered politics in the early 90s, becoming a member of the parliament of one of the cantons of Switzerland. Ten years later, he entered the National Council of the country, and then the Council of Cantons of Switzerland. Since January 2013, Burkhalter has served as Vice President, combining this post with the leadership of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The new president of Switzerland is married and the father of three children. Burkhalter is an economist by education.
President of Switzerland: priorities in activity
The new president of the country, representing the Free Democratic Party, intends to focus on foreign policy and international relations, including cooperation with the countries of the European Union. Since Burkhalter is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs of his country, he is close to issues related to the foreign policy of the state.
The President of Switzerland took an active part in the events related to the crisis in Ukraine. In early March 2014, Burkhalter announced that a delegation from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should be sent to this country.
The President expressed concern that in Ukraine today there are no sufficient guarantees of security and respect for human rights.
The new President of Switzerland called on the parties to the Ukrainian conflict to respect the principles underlying the OSCE's activities, including the territorial integrity of sovereign states. Switzerland is actively and purposefully working to convene a contact group on the situation in Ukraine, which could become a mediator between the parties to the conflict and coordinate assistance to Kiev at the level of international representatives.
