Swiss President Guy Parmelin will step down on Dec. 31 after 10 years as a member of the country’s seven-member executive.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin will leave the federal government on Dec. 31 after a decade as one of Switzerland’s seven federal councillors, he announced Friday.

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Parmelin, who also heads the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, said he wants to make room for other political forces to gain a foothold in national politics.

A member of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC), Parmelin is regarded as a moderate within the right-wing party.

Switzerland’s federal government has seven federal councillors who make decisions collectively by consensus. The presidency rotates annually among the seven members.

Parmelin’s departure will leave a seat open on the country’s seven-member executive at the end of the year.

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