GENEVA - Alain Berset who was elected on Dec 6, 2017, took office on Monday as the President of the Swiss Confederation for the year 2018.

Replacing former President Doris Leuthard, Alain Berset is the first President since 2008 that heads the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs.

The New Vice President of the Federal Council, Ueli Maurer, who heads the Federal Department of Finance, also took office on Monday.

The President of the Swiss Confederation is elected for one year of office by the United Federal Assembly.

Even though the title suggests otherwise, the president of the Swiss Confederation is not head of state. This position is not held by one individual, but rather by the whole 7 members of the Federal Council, which for example collectively receives foreign heads of state on state visits.