Vice Chancellor dies – “An institution in the Federal Palace”: Reactions to Simonazzi’s death – News


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After the unexpected death of Vice Chancellor and Federal Council Speaker André Simonazzi, his political companions pay tribute to his work.

The state government reacted with shock to the unexpected death of André Simonazzi. The news that the Swiss Vice Chancellor collapsed on a hike and died shocked the members of the Federal Council and the Federal Chancellor, according to a statement from the Federal Chancellery.

The Federal Council and Chancellor expressed their deepest condolences to Simonazzi’s family and relatives. Simonazzi was a “public servant in the best sense of the word,” the Federal Chancellery praised the Vice Chancellor. The standard that he applied to his work and that of his colleagues was the legal information mandate.

Swiss federal politicians also reacted to the news of his death. “Stunned, dismayed and much too soon, we have to say goodbye to André Simonazzi,” wrote Samira Marti, co-president of the SP parliamentary group and National Councilor (BL) on the platform has committed himself to our institutions with a lot of charm.”

Simonazzi was a long-time member of the SP, which is why the party leadership reacted accordingly to his unexpected death. «The news of André Simonazzi’s death is a big shock. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. André Simonazzi’s commitment to informing citizens about Federal Council decisions as well as his commitment to clear communication were exemplary,” Mattea Meyer and Cédric Wermuth, both on the co-presidium of the SP Switzerland, are quoted as saying in a statement.

FDP President Thierry Burkart described Simonazzi as a “public servant in the best sense” in a message on X. And Valais FDP Vice President and National Councilor Philippe Nantermod wrote on the platform that Simonazzi was “an extraordinary personality” and “the pride of our region”.

“Simonazzi was an institution in the Federal Palace”


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André Simonazzi was an institution in the Federal Palace, the face of the outside world. Everything that the Federal Council communicated went across its desk first. Always correct, always a bit reserved, but always amiable and with a subtle mischief – that’s how I perceived him.

On Wednesday he chaired three Federal Council media conferences, as he has always done for 15 years. His sudden death causes consternation. André Simonazzi is leaving a big gap in and around the Federal Palace.

Appreciation from SRF Bundeshaus editor Sabine Gorgé

Condolences also came from the Bernese National Council and Green Liberal President Jürg Grossen. «We are all deeply affected by the death of Vice-Chancellor André Simonazzi. On behalf of the Green Liberal Party, I express our heartfelt condolences to his family,” said Grossen on X.

A statement from the Greens states that André Simonazzi has brought Federal Council communication to a very high level.

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