In 2023, the Swiss Federal Councilors were more in demand: Guy Parmelin and Albert Rösti with the then German Foreign Minister Robert Habeck.Image: keystone
In Davos, the members of the Federal Council hold dozens of meetings with heads of state and government. Just: Because they mainly want to meet Donald Trump, important dates are still uncertain.
01/19/2026, 06:2601/19/2026, 06:28
Stefan Bühler / ch media
When it comes to talks with foreign presidents and ministers, the members of the Federal Council at the WEF leave nothing to chance. Many of the meetings take place in conference rooms in the Davos ice stadium, where the so-called “House of Switzerland” is located. There is a homely atmosphere in the wooden building.
When it comes to the seating arrangement, Guy Parmelin and his colleagues ensure that the guests have a view of the snow-covered mountains through the large windows. The overwhelming backdrop as a topic for small talk – relaxation exercises before things get political.
That will be the case again this week when Federal President Parmelin, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Defense Minister Martin Pfister hold court in the “House of Switzerland”. The Federal Council announced on Friday that around 40 meetings were planned.
Of course, without mentioning the name of a single guest. Not even Donald Trump is mentioned – although a presidential tête-à-tête with Federal President Parmelin is part of diplomatic practice. It is said that the Americans have promised a meeting, but no fixed date has yet been agreed upon. The agenda depends on Trump’s priorities – and probably also his whims.
This uncertainty runs through the state government’s entire program. For example, whether a delegation from the Federal Council will sit together with French President Emmanuel Macron, with Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, or with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: there is nothing concrete about this in the Federal Council’s announcement either. Just this much:
“Meetings with heads of state and government are planned.”
However, that is a given.
Nobody wants to commit too early
Research shows: This non-committal nature is also directly related to Donald Trump. Because not only Parmelin, but practically all heads of state and government want to keep their agenda open in order to meet the US President in Davos. There is a lot of shuffling and shuffling like at the court of the Sun King Louis
Guy Parmelin and his State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda are also hoping for a meeting with Trump.Image: keystone
At least the communiqué makes it clear which issues are of particular concern to the Swiss government: the tense geopolitical situation and economic concerns. They are on the agenda of Parmelin, Foreign Minister Cassis and Defense Minister Pfister. Karin Keller-Sutter deals with “international financial and tax issues” at meetings with finance ministers.
During his first WEF participation, Pfister has the opportunity to further build his network of relationships with his counterparts, especially those from Europe. He will also visit the troops deployed at the WEF.
The world’s crises on Cassis’ agenda
Cassis, who also chairs the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), is likely to seek meetings with, among others, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha.
Also obvious: an exchange with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Switzerland continues to provide good services between the USA and Iran. During the protests in Tehran and their violent suppression by the regime, the wires were once again running hot in the past few days. In Davos, Cassis now has the chance to position Switzerland as a possible mediator. This is not unimportant, as states such as Oman and the United Arab Emirates are increasingly outpacing the federal government in these matters.
In comparison, the meeting with the EU Commissioner responsible for Switzerland is likely to be almost friendly and relaxed: Maroš Šefčovič is supposedly expected for fondue in the “House of Swizerland” – a tradition that goes back to the time when Bern and Brussels were still arguing about details of the new bilateral treaties. (aargauerzeitung.ch)