Swiss Federal Council election, 2007
Encyclopedia
On December 12, 2007, all seven members of the Federal Council
, the government of Switzerland
, were elected by the joint chambers of the Federal Assembly for the 2008–2012 term of office. Councillors are elected individually by an absolute majority of votes, with the incumbent councillors defending their seats in descending order of seniority.
All seven incumbents were running for re-election. All were re-elected, with the exception of Christoph Blocher
, the controversial councillor from the Swiss People's Party
(SVP). The Federal Assembly elected Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
in Blocher's place, who accepted her election on the following morning. Pascal Couchepin
was elected President of the Swiss Confederation for 2008, and Hans-Rudolf Merz
, instead of Blocher, was elected Vice President of the Federal Council for 2008.
As a result of the non-election of their official candidate Christoph Blocher, the People's Party declared itself an opposition party and excluded its nominal representatives on the Federal Council, Samuel Schmid
and Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
, from its parliamentary group.
, the SVP expanded their share of votes again, mostly at the expense of the Social Democrats
(SPS). Christoph Blocher, the de facto
leader of the SVP, had become embroiled in a political scandal over the circumstances of the resignation of federal chief prosecutor Valentin Roschacher in 2006. However, a parliamentary oversight commission controlled by his political opponents failed to implicate him in any substantial wrongdoing. Under these circumstances, it was generally assumed that any attempt by the center-left parties in Parliament to unseat him must fail, even though Blocher had made many personal opponents with his confrontational political style.
Nonetheless, according to a reconstruction of events by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung
, the Social Democrats began to plan Blocher's removal from office immediately after the elections, but obtained no clear commitment from the centrist Christian Democrats
(CVP). To provoke these parties into action, the Green Party of Switzerland
nominated Luc Recordon
as their own candidate to run against Blocher The GPS had previously tried to obtain a seat in 1987 and 1991, when they nominated Leni Robert against the SVP's Adolf Ogi
, and in 2000, when they nominated Cécile Bühlmann for Ogi's seat when he retired.
Four days before the election, the Social Democrats contacted Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
to inform her that she would probably receive a substantial number of votes. Widmer-Schlumpf reportedly did not state whether she would accept or decline her possible election. At the same time, the Christian Democratic party chief, Christophe Darbellay
, publicly indicated his opposition to Blocher and hinted that he would accept if elected in his stead. On the eve of the elections, the leaders of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Christian Democrats secretly agreed to support Widmer-Schlumpf, after a test ballot in the Christian Democratic parliamentary group indicated that a majority of the group did not support Blocher. During the night, the Greens withdrew Recordon's candidacy and the center-left party leaders sought out support among individual representatives of the Free Democrats
(FDP). All the while, Widmer-Schlumpf's name was kept secret to prevent her party from exerting pressure on her and to prevent her from appearing as a candidate of the Left. Only immediately before the elections were most center-left members of parliament asked by their leadership to support Widmer-Schlumpf.
Prior to the election, the Green group proposed a candidate of their own, State councillor Luc Recordon
, to contest Blocher's seat. Recordon's candidacy was withdrawn after left and centrist parties proposed to elect Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
, a centrist SVP executive councillor from the canton of Graubünden
, in Blocher's stead.
Widmer-Schlumpf was elected with 125 votes in the second round. A SVP motion of order to interrupt the election until afternoon was rejected with 155 votes against. Widmer-Schlumpf declared on 13 December, 8 a.m., that she would accept her election.
, the chancellor between 2000 and 2007, did not seek re-election. Three candidates were presented by the parties: Corina Casanova
(CVP/PDC
), vice-chancellor between 2000 and 2007, Nathalie Falcone-Goumaz (SVP/UDC
) and Markus Seiler (FDP/PRD
). Corina Casanova was elected in the first round of voting.
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
, the government of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, were elected by the joint chambers of the Federal Assembly for the 2008–2012 term of office. Councillors are elected individually by an absolute majority of votes, with the incumbent councillors defending their seats in descending order of seniority.
All seven incumbents were running for re-election. All were re-elected, with the exception of Christoph Blocher
Christoph Blocher
Christoph Blocher is a Swiss politician, industrialist, and former member of the Swiss Federal Council heading the Federal Department of Justice and Police . Currently he is serving as Vice President of the Swiss People's Party...
, the controversial councillor from the Swiss People's Party
Swiss People's Party
The Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
(SVP). The Federal Assembly elected Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf is a Swiss lawyer, politician, and member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2008. She is currently the head of the Federal Department of Finance ....
in Blocher's place, who accepted her election on the following morning. Pascal Couchepin
Pascal Couchepin
Pascal Couchepin is a Swiss politician, former member of the Swiss Federal Council and President of the Confederation in 2003 and 2008...
was elected President of the Swiss Confederation for 2008, and Hans-Rudolf Merz
Hans-Rudolf Merz
Hans-Rudolf Merz is a Swiss politician of FDP.The Liberals and member of the Swiss Federal Council . He is the head of the Federal Department of Finance and President of the Swiss Confederation for 2009...
, instead of Blocher, was elected Vice President of the Federal Council for 2008.
As a result of the non-election of their official candidate Christoph Blocher, the People's Party declared itself an opposition party and excluded its nominal representatives on the Federal Council, Samuel Schmid
Samuel Schmid
Samuel Schmid is a Swiss politician who was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2000 to 2008. He was the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports .He was elected to the Federal Council on 6 December 2000...
and Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf is a Swiss lawyer, politician, and member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2008. She is currently the head of the Federal Department of Finance ....
, from its parliamentary group.
Background
In the 2007 Swiss federal electionsSwiss federal election, 2007
Elections to the Swiss Federal Assembly, the federal parliament of Switzerland, were held on Sunday, 21 October 2007. In a few cantons, a second round of the elections to the Council of States was held on 11 November, 18 November, and 25 November 2007...
, the SVP expanded their share of votes again, mostly at the expense of the Social Democrats
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
(SPS). Christoph Blocher, the de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
leader of the SVP, had become embroiled in a political scandal over the circumstances of the resignation of federal chief prosecutor Valentin Roschacher in 2006. However, a parliamentary oversight commission controlled by his political opponents failed to implicate him in any substantial wrongdoing. Under these circumstances, it was generally assumed that any attempt by the center-left parties in Parliament to unseat him must fail, even though Blocher had made many personal opponents with his confrontational political style.
Nonetheless, according to a reconstruction of events by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung
Neue Zürcher Zeitung
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung is a major German language Swiss daily newspaper based in Zurich.One of the oldest newspapers still published, it originally appeared as Zürcher Zeitung, edited by Salomon Gessner, from January 12, 1780, and was renamed to Neue Zürcher Zeitung in 1821...
, the Social Democrats began to plan Blocher's removal from office immediately after the elections, but obtained no clear commitment from the centrist Christian Democrats
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
(CVP). To provoke these parties into action, the Green Party of Switzerland
Green Party of Switzerland
The Green Party of Switzerland is the fifth-largest party in the National Council of Switzerland, and the largest party that is not represented on the Federal Council.-History:...
nominated Luc Recordon
Luc Recordon
Luc Recordon is a Swiss politician, member of the Green Party of Switzerland, representing Vaud in the Swiss Council of States.Recordon was educated as an engineer at the EPFL and holds a doctorate in jurisprudence...
as their own candidate to run against Blocher The GPS had previously tried to obtain a seat in 1987 and 1991, when they nominated Leni Robert against the SVP's Adolf Ogi
Adolf Ogi
Adolf Ogi is a Swiss politician from the village of Kandersteg in the Swiss Alps.He was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 9 December 1987, as member of the Swiss People's Party from the Canton of Berne...
, and in 2000, when they nominated Cécile Bühlmann for Ogi's seat when he retired.
Four days before the election, the Social Democrats contacted Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf is a Swiss lawyer, politician, and member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2008. She is currently the head of the Federal Department of Finance ....
to inform her that she would probably receive a substantial number of votes. Widmer-Schlumpf reportedly did not state whether she would accept or decline her possible election. At the same time, the Christian Democratic party chief, Christophe Darbellay
Christophe Darbellay
Christophe Darbellay is a Swiss politician, member of the Swiss National Council, and President of the Christian Democratic People's Party .-External links:...
, publicly indicated his opposition to Blocher and hinted that he would accept if elected in his stead. On the eve of the elections, the leaders of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Christian Democrats secretly agreed to support Widmer-Schlumpf, after a test ballot in the Christian Democratic parliamentary group indicated that a majority of the group did not support Blocher. During the night, the Greens withdrew Recordon's candidacy and the center-left party leaders sought out support among individual representatives of the Free Democrats
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
(FDP). All the while, Widmer-Schlumpf's name was kept secret to prevent her party from exerting pressure on her and to prevent her from appearing as a candidate of the Left. Only immediately before the elections were most center-left members of parliament asked by their leadership to support Widmer-Schlumpf.
Candidates
The following candidates participated in the election:- Incumbents, in descending order of seniority:
- Moritz LeuenbergerMoritz LeuenbergerMoritz Leuenberger is a Swiss politician, lawyer, was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1995 to 2010 and President of the Confederation in 2001 and in 2006....
(SPSSocial Democratic Party of SwitzerlandThe Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
), head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, - Pascal CouchepinPascal CouchepinPascal Couchepin is a Swiss politician, former member of the Swiss Federal Council and President of the Confederation in 2003 and 2008...
(FDPFree Democratic Party of SwitzerlandThe Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
), head of the Federal Department of Home AffairsFederal Department of Home Affairs (Switzerland)The Federal Department of Home Affairs is a department of the federal administration of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss ministry of the interior...
, - Samuel SchmidSamuel SchmidSamuel Schmid is a Swiss politician who was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2000 to 2008. He was the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports .He was elected to the Federal Council on 6 December 2000...
(SVPSwiss People's PartyThe Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
), head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and SportsFederal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and SportsThe Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport is one of the seven departments of the Swiss federal government, headed by a member of the Swiss Federal Council.-Organisation:...
, - Micheline Calmy-ReyMicheline Calmy-ReyMicheline Anne-Marie Calmy-Rey is the President of the Confederation in Switzerland, head of government. She is also Switzerland's foreign minister as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. She has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2003, and was President of the...
(SPSSocial Democratic Party of SwitzerlandThe Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
), head of the Federal Department of Foreign AffairsFederal Department of Foreign AffairsThe Federal Department of Foreign Affairs is a department of the federal administration of Switzerland. It is charged with maintaining the foreign relations of Switzerland and serves as Switzerland's ministry of foreign affairs...
, - Christoph BlocherChristoph BlocherChristoph Blocher is a Swiss politician, industrialist, and former member of the Swiss Federal Council heading the Federal Department of Justice and Police . Currently he is serving as Vice President of the Swiss People's Party...
(SVPSwiss People's PartyThe Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
), head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police, - Hans-Rudolf MerzHans-Rudolf MerzHans-Rudolf Merz is a Swiss politician of FDP.The Liberals and member of the Swiss Federal Council . He is the head of the Federal Department of Finance and President of the Swiss Confederation for 2009...
(FDPFree Democratic Party of SwitzerlandThe Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
), head of the Federal Department of FinanceFederal Department of FinanceThe Federal Department of Finance ; ; ) is one of the seven departments of the Swiss federal government. The department is headquartered in Bern and is headed by a member of the Swiss Federal Council, Switzerland's finance minister...
, - Doris LeuthardDoris LeuthardDoris Leuthard is a Swiss politician and lawyer. Since 1 August 2006, she has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council. From 1 August 2006 till 31 October 2010 she was head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs...
(CVPChristian Democratic People's Party of SwitzerlandThe Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
), head of the Federal Department of Economic AffairsFederal Department of Economic AffairsThe Federal Department of Economic Affairs is one of the seven departments of the federal government of Switzerland, headed by a member of the Swiss Federal Council.-Organisation:The Department is composed of the following offices:...
.
- Moritz Leuenberger
- Other candidates:
- Eveline Widmer-SchlumpfEveline Widmer-SchlumpfEveline Widmer-Schlumpf is a Swiss lawyer, politician, and member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2008. She is currently the head of the Federal Department of Finance ....
(SVPSwiss People's PartyThe Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
), a member of the government of the canton of GraubündenGraubündenGraubünden or Grisons is the largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland. The canton shares borders with the cantons of Ticino, Uri, Glarus and St. Gallen and international borders with Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein...
. She was proposed by center-left parties as an alternative candidate for the seat of Christoph BlocherChristoph BlocherChristoph Blocher is a Swiss politician, industrialist, and former member of the Swiss Federal Council heading the Federal Department of Justice and Police . Currently he is serving as Vice President of the Swiss People's Party...
, although it remains uncertain whether or not this happened with her consent.
- Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Seat held by Moritz Leuenberger
Moritz Leuenberger was re-elected during the first ballot. His re-election was supported by all parliamentary groups except that of the SVP.| Round 1 | |
|---|---|
| Moritz Leuenberger | 157 |
| Votes received by other persons | 21 |
| Votes cast | 246 |
| Invalid votes | 4 |
| Blank votes | 64 |
| Valid votes | 178 |
| Absolute majority | 90 |
Seat held by Pascal Couchepin
Pascal Couchepin was re-elected during the first ballot. His re-election was supported by all parliamentary groups.| Round 1 | |
|---|---|
| Pascal Couchepin | 205 |
| Votes received by other persons | 26 |
| Votes cast | 246 |
| Invalid votes | 2 |
| Blank votes | 13 |
| Valid votes | 231 |
| Absolute majority | 116 |
Seat held by Samuel Schmid
Samuel Schmid was re-elected during the first ballot. His re-election was supported by all parliamentary groups.| Round 1 | |
|---|---|
| Samuel Schmid | 201 |
| Votes received by other persons | 18 |
| Votes cast | 244 |
| Invalid votes | 4 |
| Blank votes | 21 |
| Valid votes | 219 |
| Absolute majority | 110 |
Seat held by Micheline Calmy-Rey
Micheline Calmy-Rey was re-elected during the first ballot. Her re-election was supported by all parliamentary groups except that of the SVP.| Round 1 | |
|---|---|
| Micheline Calmy-Rey | 153 |
| Votes received by other persons | 27 |
| Votes cast | 246 |
| Invalid votes | 1 |
| Blank votes | 65 |
| Valid votes | 180 |
| Absolute majority | 91 |
Seat held by Christoph Blocher
Christoph Blocher's seat was the only contested seat, and this contest was the focus of the public attention directed at the elections. His re-election was officially supported only by the SVP and FDP parliamentary groups. The SVP threatened to withdraw from the government in the case of Blocher not being re-elected.Prior to the election, the Green group proposed a candidate of their own, State councillor Luc Recordon
Luc Recordon
Luc Recordon is a Swiss politician, member of the Green Party of Switzerland, representing Vaud in the Swiss Council of States.Recordon was educated as an engineer at the EPFL and holds a doctorate in jurisprudence...
, to contest Blocher's seat. Recordon's candidacy was withdrawn after left and centrist parties proposed to elect Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf is a Swiss lawyer, politician, and member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2008. She is currently the head of the Federal Department of Finance ....
, a centrist SVP executive councillor from the canton of Graubünden
Graubünden
Graubünden or Grisons is the largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland. The canton shares borders with the cantons of Ticino, Uri, Glarus and St. Gallen and international borders with Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein...
, in Blocher's stead.
Widmer-Schlumpf was elected with 125 votes in the second round. A SVP motion of order to interrupt the election until afternoon was rejected with 155 votes against. Widmer-Schlumpf declared on 13 December, 8 a.m., that she would accept her election.
| Round 1 | Round 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Christoph Blocher | 111 | 115 |
| Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf | 116 | 125 |
| Votes received by other persons | 11 | 2 |
| Votes cast | 246 | 246 |
| Invalid votes | 2 | 0 |
| Blank votes | 6 | 4 |
| Valid votes | 238 | 242 |
| Absolute majority | 120 | 122 |
Seat held by Hans-Rudolf Merz
Hans-Rudolf Merz was re-elected during the first ballot. His re-election was supported by all parliamentary groups.| Round 1 | |
|---|---|
| Hans-Rudolf Merz | 213 |
| Votes received by other persons | 20 |
| Votes cast | 244 |
| Invalid votes | 3 |
| Blank votes | 8 |
| Valid votes | 233 |
| Absolute majority | 117 |
Seat held by Doris Leuthard
Doris Leuthard was re-elected during the first ballot. Her re-election was supported by all parliamentary groups except that of the SVP.| Round 1 | |
|---|---|
| Doris Leuthard | 160 |
| Christoph Blocher | 12 |
| Votes received by other persons | 19 |
| Votes cast | 244 |
| Invalid votes | 4 |
| Blank votes | 49 |
| Valid votes | 191 |
| Absolute majority | 96 |
Federal Chancellor
Annemarie Huber-HotzAnnemarie Huber-Hotz
Annemarie Huber-Hotz was Federal Chancellor of Switzerland between 2000 and 2007. She was nominated by the FDP for the office, and elected on 15 December 1999 after four rounds of voting. The activity is comparable to an office for Minister...
, the chancellor between 2000 and 2007, did not seek re-election. Three candidates were presented by the parties: Corina Casanova
Corina Casanova
Corina Casanova is the Federal Chancellor of Switzerland.Born 1956 in Ilanz, Graubünden, Casanova worked as a lawyer in the practice of the former President of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, Giusep Nay, as well as a Red Cross delegate in South Africa, Angola, Nicaragua and El Salvador...
(CVP/PDC
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
), vice-chancellor between 2000 and 2007, Nathalie Falcone-Goumaz (SVP/UDC
Swiss People's Party
The Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
) and Markus Seiler (FDP/PRD
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
). Corina Casanova was elected in the first round of voting.
| Round 1 | |
|---|---|
| Corina Casanova | 124 |
| Nathalie Falcone-Goumaz | 64 |
| Markus Seiler | 52 |
| Votes received by other persons | 4 |
| Votes cast | 246 |
| Invalid votes | 0 |
| Blank votes | 2 |
| Valid votes | 244 |
| Absolute majority | 123 |