Federal Councillor Pfister takes over the keys to the defense department from Amherd
From Tuesday, the new Federal Councillor from Zug, Martin Pfister, will head the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). His predecessor Viola Amherd symbolically handed him the keys to her office on Friday.
28.03.2025, 11:13
SDA
After a brief conversation in the office of the outgoing defense minister, the two appeared briefly before the media and presented each other with numerous gifts.
Amherd had a gift ready for Pfister from every federal office of the DDPS and explained with a wink what he could do with it. For example, Pfister now has a jar in which he can store his cell phone in a tap-proof manner during secret meetings with the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS).
Among other things, Pfister received cookies and chocolate from the army, as well as patches with his name on. The Federal Office of Sport (Baspo) presented him with the official match ball for the European Women's Football Championship, which is taking place in Switzerland this summer.
Other new items in the possession of the new Federal Councillor Pfister include a robot dog, a physical map of Bern and the surrounding area and specialist literature. For private reading, Amherd presented Pfister with a crime novel by Anne Holt. The book "A Necessary Death" deals with many topics that are very topical, said Amherd.
"Servir et disparaître"
Pfister thanked Amherd for her "outstanding work in the DDPS". He was very happy to take over the "key department" from her. For her time as a former Federal Councillor, the Zug native presented the Upper Valais native with a fruit salad, a Zug cherry brandy and the book "Nicht Anfang und nicht Ende" by Ticino author Plinio Martini.
In response to a question from journalists, Pfister said that he would start on Tuesday with the current staff of the DDPS General Secretariat. He announced "several personnel decisions" for the coming weeks and months. Pfister also revealed that he would be choosing art for his office.
Amherd concluded by saying that she was leaving "with a light heart". She will continue to engage in political debates, but only on her own. "My motto is: servir et disparaître."
