Alain Berset vs Zoran Zaev

Berset was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on December 14, 2011, representing the Social Democratic Party. He took over the Federal Department of Home Affairs, overseeing health, social security, and cultural policy, becoming a key figure in Swiss federal politics.

Alain Berset served as President of the Swiss Confederation in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. He led the Federal Council's response, including lockdown measures, economic support packages, and vaccine procurement, navigating a federalist system with cantonal autonomy.

Berset served a second term as President of the Swiss Confederation in 2023, focusing on post-pandemic economic recovery, healthcare system strengthening, and digitalization. He also addressed challenges from the war in Ukraine, including sanctions and energy security.

Zaev became Prime Minister after his SDSM party formed a coalition with ethnic Albanian parties. He pledged to resolve the long-standing name dispute with Greece and pursue Euro-Atlantic integration.

Zaev signed the Prespa Agreement with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, changing the country's name to North Macedonia in exchange for Greece lifting its veto on NATO and EU accession. This resolved a 27-year dispute.

Zaev held a non-binding referendum on the Prespa Agreement, which was approved by 91% of voters, but turnout was only 37%. The low turnout weakened his mandate, but the agreement was ratified by parliament.

Following the Prespa Agreement, North Macedonia became the 30th member of NATO, fulfilling a key foreign policy goal. Zaev's government achieved this milestone despite domestic opposition.

Zaev resigned after his party suffered losses in local elections, citing the need for new leadership. His resignation came amid challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and EU accession delays.