List of presidents of the Swiss Confederation

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Below is a list of presidents of the Swiss Confederation (1848–present). It presents the presiding member of the Swiss Federal Council, the country's seven-member executive.

Elected by the Federal Assembly for one year, the President of the Confederation chairs the meetings of the Federal Council and undertakes special representational duties. Primus inter pares, the officeholder has no powers above the other Federal Councillors and continues to head his or her department. Traditionally, the duty rotates among the members in order of seniority and the previous year's vice president becomes president.

Jonas Furrer served as the first president of the Swiss Confederation (1848–1849).
Jakob Stämpfli, who presided over the Federal Council in 1856, was just 35 years old, the youngest to date.
Karl Schenk, as the longest-serving member of the Federal Council, was president of the Confederation six times, a number only equaled by Emil Welti.
Wilhelm Hertenstein died during his term, on 27 November 1888. As of 2024, he is the only president not to complete his term.
Viola Amherd, 176th and current president of the Confederation.