Andrea Arcidiacono becomes new Federal Council spokesperson
Andrea Arcidiacono from Ticino is to become the new Vice-Chancellor and Federal Council Spokesperson. The HSG business economist, former journalist, communications manager and agency head will succeed the late Vice-Chancellor André Simonazzi.
Arcidiacono, 58, who is independent, will take up his post on October 1, as the Federal Chancellery announced on Friday. He will remain director of the Arcidiacono Consulting Partners agency until the end of September, but will relinquish this post and his shareholding in the company. He lives in Bern.
Arcidiacono was proposed for election by Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi. The designated new Vice-Chancellor knows the Federal Parliament, federal politics and the tasks of the federal media, Rossi told the media in Bern. Arcidiacono is a native Italian speaker and speaks German, French and English.
"Different roles"
He is convinced that Arcidiacono will ensure continuity. Arcidiacono started his career as a journalist. He then worked for the Federal Administration, Presence Switzerland, Curafutura, the University of Italian-speaking Switzerland in Ticino and the Federal Administrative Court.
Arcidiacono expressed his thanks for the election in the four national languages. He said it was a great honor and responsibility for him to take on this important role. "Mutual trust is the starting point for carrying out my exciting and difficult task in the best possible way."
Arcidiacono assured the journalists that he was looking forward to working with the media representatives, "even if we will have different roles".
He said that he wanted to ensure continuity in the first phase of his work. In a second phase, he wants to analyze where strengths and weaknesses lie and examine where and what can be further developed and how.
"The entire Federal Council will be a party"
When asked about his party affiliation, Arcidiacono said: "I stand for solidarity, personal responsibility and equal opportunities. My party will be the Federal Council as a whole. I don't belong to any party." He has already worked for members of the Federal Council from various parties.
Arcidiacono began his career in journalism. He worked as a journalist and parliamentary correspondent for the newspaper Corriere del Ticino and the television station of Italian-speaking Switzerland RSI. From 2007 to 2009, he was head of the Italian-language editorial team at Swissinfo.
He then gained experience in communications within and outside the Federal Administration. He was deputy head of information for Federal Councillors Ruth Dreifuss and Pascal Couchepin. In 2017 and 2018, he was media spokesperson at the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH.
At the Presence Switzerland image agency of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), he managed the "Gotthard 2016", "Italy/Expo Milano 2015" and "Verso Expo Milano 2015" programs. He was also responsible for public relations at the Università della Svizzera italiana and for the health insurance association Curafutura. From 2009 to 2011, he was responsible for communications at the Federal Administrative Court.
Accordion, jogging, traveling
Arcidiacono lists playing the accordion, jogging and traveling as his hobbies. His predecessor André Simonazzi (SP) died in May at the age of 55 during a hike. He had held the office for 15 years. Until Arcidiacono takes up office, Simonazzi's closest colleague Ursula Eggenberger will perform his functions ad interim.
She heads the Communications Section in the Federal Chancellery. She will return to this role when the new Vice-Chancellor takes office. Rachel Salzmann (center) has held the second Vice-Chancellor position since July 1. (SDA/swi)
