A surprise visit to Ukraine, a few hours after the heaviest Russian drone attack on Kyiv since the start of the invasion. In Bucha, Alain Berset pays his respects at the site of the largest mass grave with Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin. Then, with Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, he takes part in the commemoration […]
The first visit by a President of the Swiss Confederation to Oman, for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq welcomes Alain Berset at Al Alam Palace, then the two delegations hold talks: renewable energy, tourism, mediation and peacebuilding. Five texts are signed: a memorandum on sustainable energy and green hydrogen, a […]
Alain Berset represents Switzerland at the summit of heads of state that opens the 28th UN Climate Change Conference. In his national statement: “This year’s COP is a pivotal moment”; the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement is “the last moment to act” to limit warming to 1.5 °C. Switzerland calls for a phase-out […]
The two Basels celebrate their Social Democrat representatives, elected on 4 December: Eric Nussbaumer as President of the National Council, Eva Herzog as President of the Council of States. A procession and ceremony in the church in Liestal, boats on the Rhine to Basel, crowds on the Marktplatz. At the Casino in Basel, Alain Berset […]
A few days earlier, in Kasane (Botswana), UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee inscribed the alpine pasture season on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The canton of Fribourg celebrates the inscription in Bulle: a day of debates on alpine farming, then an official and musical ceremony at the Hôtel-de-Ville. Alain Berset first speaks […]
Every year, the Geneva Council of State invites a member of the Federal Council to the Escalade. In 2023, it is the President of the Swiss Confederation. On the Treille, the Compagnie de 1602 presents him with the Falco cannon, a replica of a 17th-century piece; he fires the last shot of the year. Visit […]
At the Palais des Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration. Alain Berset opens the high-level segment with High Commissioner Volker Türk. His verdict: the answer is “at worst negative. At best mixed”: the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, Gaza where “70% of […]
The Federal Assembly re-elects the Federal Council for the legislative term. Alain Berset, who is not standing again, takes his leave before the votes. Beat Jans, from Basel, is elected to succeed him; Viola Amherd is elected President of the Swiss Confederation for 2024. For the 175th anniversary of the Constitution, he offers “a eulogy […]
On 10 January 2024, ten days after leaving the Federal Council, Alain Berset declares his interest in the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs supports the candidacy and submits it the same day, the last day of the deadline, to the Chair of the Committee of […]
Alain Berset spends the first part-session 2024 of the Parliamentary Assembly at the Palais de l’Europe. For SRF, this is the opening of his campaign: he can be seen in the delegates’ café, in the corridors, the meeting rooms and the offices. On 22 January, the Swiss delegation to the Assembly gives him its unanimous […]
As part of his candidacy for the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset travels to Strasbourg.
As part of his candidacy for the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset travels to Warsaw.
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