Politics · Switzerland · 1 hr ago
Marco Chiesa seeks nomination to replace Guy Parmelin in Swiss government
Marco Chiesa has entered the race to succeed Guy Parmelin in Switzerland’s seven-member Federal Council, the country’s national executive.
Chiesa is a senator from Ticino, the Italian-speaking canton in southern Switzerland, and a former president of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
He says his experience in local and national politics, including leading the party from 2020 to 2024, makes him a strong candidate.
He argues Ticino should have a voice in government over the longer term, although the canton is already represented by Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
Chiesa says his children are older and more independent, and that his family supports his candidacy.
The SVP’s parliamentary group will choose its official candidate list on November 20, and Chiesa must make that list to remain in contention.
The Federal Assembly will then elect Parmelin’s successor, but the supplied information does not state when that vote will take place.
Marco Chiesa, a Swiss People’s Party senator from Ticino, has announced that he will seek to succeed Guy Parmelin in the Swiss Federal Council.
The party’s parliamentary group will decide whether to include him on its candidate ticket.
Chiesa says his candidacy could help secure representation for Italian-speaking Switzerland over the medium term.
Ticino is already represented in the Federal Council by Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
Other potential candidates include Geneva’s Céline Amaudruz and, according to reports, Bern government member Pierre-Alain Schnegg.
- Who
- Marco Chiesa, a Swiss People’s Party senator from Ticino.
- What
- He is seeking to succeed Guy Parmelin in the Federal Council.
- When
- He announced his candidacy on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland; the seat is in the Federal Council in Bern.
- Why
- He says he wants to contribute to Switzerland and argues for Italian-speaking Switzerland’s representation over the medium term.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chiesa said he had not yet considered running when Parmelin announced his resignation.
Chiesa announced he would seek to succeed Parmelin.
The Swiss People’s Party parliamentary group is due to select its candidate ticket.
- Candidate
- Marco Chiesa
- Seat sought
- Federal Council seat held by Guy Parmelin
- Party
- Swiss People’s Party (SVP)
- Current Ticino representative
- Ignazio Cassis
- Ticket selection
- 20 November 2026
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What people are saying
La Svizzera è la nostra casa e sarebbe un onore poter contribuire a prendersene cura
E il luogo più importante dove si può incidere è proprio il Consiglio federale
Mathias ist inzwischen volljährig, und Micol geht bereits ihren eigenen Weg.