Minister expresses election opinion - a mistake

The Federal Councillor Albert Rösti has attracted criticism from his colleagues and raised eyebrows after he commented on the US election.

He’s also now distancing himself from his comments.

Rösti is a member of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party. 

He was talking to a group of school children in Basel last week and he replied to a question from one by saying that, he ‘leaned more toward Trump.’

He said he was the only US president who did not lead the US into war – but he did admit his personality is problematic. 

But expressing an opinion is a diplomatic mistake – according to many political correspondents. 

The Swiss president, Viola Amherd, was asked about his comments, and she gave the correct diplomatic answer. She stressed Switzerland does not interfere with foreign elections and will work with democratically elected heads of state. She says it’s a matter for US voters.

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