Council presidencies Caroni, a member of the Free Democrats from Ausserrhoden, is the new President of the Council of States

Andrea Caroni (FDP), a member of the Council of States from Appenzell Ausserrhoden, is the new President of the Council of States. He was elected as the successor to Basel SP member of the Council of States Eva Herzog at the start of the winter session of the Federal Assembly.

Caroni received 43 votes in the Federal Palace on Monday, which is a good result: The average vote for the election of the President of the Council of States is just over 42 votes.

The 44-year-old lawyer and lecturer at the University of St. Gallen has been a member of the Council of States since December 2015. He lives in Herisau. Before Caroni became a member of the Council of States, he was a member of the National Council for four years. Appenzell Ausserrhoden has already had several presidents of the Council of States - the last were Otto Schoch (1995/96) and Hans Altherr (2011/12).

The President of the Council of States chairs the Council's proceedings, sets the agenda as part of the session planning, heads the Council Office and represents the Council externally.

SDA