Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin has been head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) since 1 January 2019. He was elected to the Federal Council on 9 December 2015 and took over the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). In 2021, Federal Councillor Parmelin served as President of the Swiss Confederation.

Guy Parmelin began his political career at local level as President of the Municipal Council of Bursins and as a member of the Cantonal Parliament of Vaud. In 2003, he was elected to the National Council, where he remained until 2015. He was also president of the SVP in the canton of Vaud for several years.

In addition to his political activities, Mr Parmelin was a member of the Board of Directors of the Swiss agribusiness group FENACO from 1996 to 2015, serving as Vice-Chairman from 2009. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Vaud cantonal building insurance company from 2012 to 2015.