After 10 years as a minister in the Swiss government, Guy Parmelin starts his second term as the country’s president. The economics minister, who is from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, talks about the future of relations with Washington, Switzerland’s place in a changing world order and the challenges of governing in times of crisis. Swissinfo: You have been elected Swiss president for the second time with 203 votes out of 210 valid votes cast in the Federal Assembly. This is the best result in a presidential election in four decades. What is the secret of your popularity? Guy Parmelin: I usually like to say that you should ask the parliamentarians who elected me. But on reflection, I think it has to do with the structure of my ministry, which covers agriculture, education, research, economic affairs and industrial relations. This brings me into contact with nearly all the various parliamentary committees. As a result, many parliamentarians know me well and know how I work.
