Switzerland’s 21 living ex-presidents: a world record

Britain has eight, the United States has five, France has only two. Switzerland, however, has 21 members of the “Living Former Presidents Society”. What does this record say about the country’s political stability and leadership? Very little. It’s largely a trick question. Switzerland’s unique rotating one-year presidency can’t be compared with the head of government in any other country (the chancellor in Germany and prime minister in Britain). Did you know, for example, that the Swiss president never pays a state visit? The Swiss president is neither the head of state nor the head of government. The seven-person cabinet, also known as the federal council, is considered a collective head of state and government. The president might be “primus inter pares” – the first among equals – but he or she doesn’t have any greater power than the rest of the cabinet. What’s more, during their year in office presidents remain head of their department. Guy Parmelin, for example, is both ...