Guy Parmelin

About

Guy Bernard Parmelin (French pronunciation: [ɡi bɛʁnaʁ paʁməlɛ̃]; born 9 November 1959) is a Swiss politician who has been a member of the Federal Council since 2016. A member of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP/UDC), he is currently the president of Switzerland for 2026, having previously served as president in 2021 and as vice president in 2020 and 2025. Parmelin has also led the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research since 2019. He previously led the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports between 2016 and 2018.

== Early life and education ==
Parmelin was born 9 November 1959 in Bursins, the oldest of three children, to Richard Parmelin, a farmer and winegrower, and Jeannine Parmelin (née Favre; 1939–2020). His siblings are Christophe Parmelin and Valérie Cottet (née Parmelin).
He completed his Gymnasium Matura in 1977 and then completed a diploma in agriculture at the Cantonal Agricultural College Marcelin in Morges. In 1985, he completed a master’s degree in viticulture.

== Biography ==

=== Early political career ===
A master wine grower by trade, he was elected to the Grand Council of Vaud from 1994 until 2003, when he was elected to the National Council…