Federal Council Elections – The Federal Council is one of the oldest governments in Central Europe – News

Previously, the average age of the Federal Council decreased three times

New Federal Chancellor Pete Jans celebrated his 59th birthday in July. The departing Alain Berset turned 51 in April. Last year, the state government was somewhat revitalized with the arrival of Elisabeth Böhm Schneider and Albert Rusti. They replaced 72-year-old Uli Maurer and 62-year-old Simonetta Sommaruga.

Even when Keller Sutter and Amherd were elected to the commission five years ago, the average age had dropped from just over 61 to about 58. In 2011, the election of Alain Berset, then the Council of States, led to a decline in the average age. Freiberger was 39 years old when he was elected.

Only Ruth Metzler, 34, was younger than him when she was elected to state government in 1999. Even younger than Metzler was the liberal Numa Droz from Neuchâtel in 1875, who was elected to the Federal Council at the age of 31.

In the 19th century, people in their 30s sometimes became federal councilors. At 59 years old, Pete Jans is one of the oldest members of the Federal Council ever elected. The highest age to join a state government was Christoph Blücher (SVP), who entered the Federal Council in 2003 at the age of 63.

Internationally older than other governments

Compared to neighboring countries, it becomes clear that Switzerland stands out for its older federal chancellors. Apart from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (65 years old), all other presidents are under 60 years old. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer is 51 years old and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is 46 years old. French President Emmanuel Macron is also much younger, at 45 years old.

In terms of average age, the Swiss Federal Council is also one of the oldest governments in international comparison. According to data from RTS TV in western Switzerland, the Swiss state government is the oldest in Central Europe after Italy.

It is striking that the heads of major countries in particular are above average in age. Russian President Vladimir Putin (71 years old), Chinese President Xi Jinping (70 years old), and US President Joe Biden (81 years old) are among the oldest presidents in the world.

Joe Biden’s age in particular has become a recurring topic recently, and this will also be the case during the election campaign in the USA next year. From the age of 80 onwards, the population seems to have less confidence in the president who rules the country.

We’re not there yet in Switzerland – although the average age of Federal Chancellor Beate Jans has now risen by about two years.