Federal Council election 1998

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The 1998 Federal Council election took place on March 11, 1998 in Switzerland .

Federal Councilor Jean-Pascal Delamuraz ( FDP ) submitted his resignation on January 14, 1998 for health reasons. Therefore, the United Federal Assembly had to choose a replacement. The magic formula and thus the FDP's claim to this seat were undisputed. There was also broad agreement that a French-speaking country should be chosen.

National Councilor Pascal Couchepin was already the clear favorite for the successor when Delamuraz was announced. The FDP parliamentary group put up a two-way candidacy with National Councilor Pascal Couchepin (Valais) and National Councilor Christiane Langenberger (Vaud). In the media it was criticized that Langenberger was only an alibi candidacy with no chances. In addition, National Councilor Claude Frey (Neuchâtel) and former National Councilor and former Councilor of States Gilles Petitpierre , Geneva, both also members of the FDP.

Results

  1st ballot 2nd ballot 3rd ballot 4th ballot 5th ballot
ballot papers distributed 245 245 246 246 246
ballot papers received 244 245 246 246 246
empty / invalid 1/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 7/1
valid total 244 245 246 246 238
absolute more 122 123 124 124 120
Pascal Couchepin 66 80 87 115 146
Christiane Langenberger 66 67 60 80 92
Claude Frey 61 53 50 51 -
Gilles Petitpierre 40 43 49 - -
various 10 2 - - -

Pascal Couchepin was elected in the 5th ballot with a lead of 54 votes. Women's associations protested against the fact that the Federal Council continued to consist of six men and only one woman. The handover took place on March 30, 1998.

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