Bern, 11 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter will become president of her country in 2025, after her formal election by both houses of parliament on Wednesday.

She will take on the predominantly ceremonial role in addition to her official duties as a minister, as is customary in Switzerland. The seven members of the government take turns holding the presidential office each year.

Keller-Sutter belongs to the Free Democratic Party (FDP). However, in the Swiss system, ministers are independent of the outcome of parliamentary elections and are primarily accountable to the collegial government, not their parties.

Keller-Sutter came to international prominence in 2023 when she took charge of the rescue of the troubled bank Credit Suisse. She announced the rescue package, which included the takeover by rival bank UBS with initial state guarantees.

Keller-Sutter is a trained conference interpreter and translator. She has been in government since 2019. She succeeds Viola Amherd as president.

Photo: EPA