As the protocol of the Confederation stipulates, there is a tradition that in mid January the papal nuncio in his capacity as doyen of the diplomatic corps presents his New Year wishes to the President of the Confederation.
The President responds by expressing the New Year wishes of the Federal Council to the diplomats accredited to Switzerland. The ceremony brings together the ambassadors and chargés d’affaires, the presidents of the National Council and the Council of States, the presidents of the foreign policy commissions, and the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
This ceremony is preceded by the presentation of the wishes of the Bernese authorities (canton, city, and citizens) to the Swiss government.
