New Year’s address – Amherd: “We help determine which course history takes” – News

Federal President Viola Amherd appealed to community spirit in her official New Year’s speech.

In her New Year’s speech, Federal President Viola Amherd appealed to shared responsibility and the will to shape things. “Our democracy is based on this idea,” said Amherd.

“We can take many things into our own hands”

A lot has been mastered together, that is Switzerland’s strength. «We are not helpless, not powerless, we don’t just have to sit there and watch. We can take a lot of things into our own hands,” said Amherd on the first day in her new role.

And further: “We all have a say in the course of history.” However, you have to get involved by taking responsibility. Listening, understanding each other and getting involved are key. “If we share responsibility, it will be easier,” said the Federal President. “And if we treat each other with respect, our lives will not only be easier, but also richer.”

Brave decisions

Amherd frowned at people’s ability to learn. “Books document our history so that we can learn from it,” she said. Unfortunately, events that one had hoped were a thing of the past repeated themselves.

A good story includes heroines and heroes who make courageous decisions. “Maybe not everything will be perfect this year and we will encounter difficult situations again,” said Amherd. “But we will be able to make a difference together if we want to.”

Amherd was elected Federal President by the United Federal Assembly on December 13th. The Upper Valais woman replaced Alain Berset. Amherd has been in the state government for five years.

The 61-year-old centrist politician from Brig-Glis succeeded Doris Leuthard at the beginning of 2019, who resigned after more than twelve years in the Federal Council. Since then, Amherd has headed the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), making her the first female defense minister in Swiss history.