Cantonal government VD Vaud State Councillor Rebecca Ruiz announces her resignation
Vaud State Councillor Rebecca Ruiz (SP) is stepping down early. The Director of Health and Social Affairs announced her resignation on Wednesday with effect from spring 2026. She will continue in office until then.
26.11.2025, 13:41
26.11.2025, 14:18
SDA
The 43-year-old cited health reasons as the reason for her early departure from the cantonal government. Ruiz was on sick leave for around a month last August and September. At the time, she had made it public that she was suffering from dysautonomia - a condition that can lead to fluctuations in blood pressure and fainting spells.
The Social Democrat initially believed she would be able to continue in office, she told the media in Lausanne on Wednesday. Since her return, she had unfortunately realized that she would not be able to continue in the office of State Councillor with the same intensity due to her health problems.
Resigning was the "only responsible decision" for her, she continued. The politician did not provide any further details on her health situation.
Replacement election next spring
Her resignation comes at a time when Vaudois state employees are protesting against austerity measures - particularly against cuts in her own Department of Health and Social Action (DSAS). However, Ruiz emphasized that this had not influenced their decision. It was an "unfortunate coincidence".
The timing of her resignation was deliberately chosen to allow for a replacement election in spring 2026 - at the same time as the municipal elections in the canton.
End of the political career
Ruiz has been a member of the Vaud government since 2019. At the time, she replaced Pierre-Yves Maillard, who is now a member of the Council of States, and has since been Director of Health and Social Affairs in the most populous canton in French-speaking Switzerland. Before she became a member of the National Council in 2014, Ruiz sat in the cantonal parliament and was a member of the Lausanne city parliament.
In response to a question from a journalist, Ruiz replied that resigning from the State Council marked the end of her political career.
