Who is the new President of Economiesuisse?

The new president of Economiesuisse is Silvan Wildhaber, who took over from Christoph Mäder after two terms of three years each. The appointment had already taken place on March 16 by the organization committee, while the official handover was held in Bern on the occasion of the economy day organized by the association representing Swiss companies. In his speech at the annual meeting, the 48-year-old businessman from Sangalla highlighted the international context marked by trade and customs wars.

What organizations and personalities took part in the economy day?

The Bern event was attended by the President of the Confederation Guy Parmelin, who insisted on the diversification of foreign economic policy to face global uncertainties, and the President of the General Management of the Swiss National Bank Martin Schlegel, who focused on the role of the institution in ensuring stability at a challenging global moment. The assembly also elected sixteen new committee members, including Giorgio Pradelli, appointed president of the Swiss Bankers' Association and vice-president of Economiesuisse.

Economiesuisse: Silvan Wildhaber is the new president

By Redazione Frontaliere Ticino (AI-generated text) · Published on 12 September 2026

Federal Palace in Bern hosting the Economiesuisse economic day

Passage of presidency to Economiesuisse: Silvan Wildhaber succeeds Christoph Mäder with full support for bilateral agreements III.

Context

In brief

Change of presidency at Economiesuisse
Silvan Wildhaber succeeds Christoph Mäder
Full support for the bilateral III agreements

Key facts

What: Change of leadership at the presidency of Economiesuisse
When: Today
Where: Bern
Who: Silvan Wildhaber and Christoph Mäder
Amount: 100,000 companies represented

(Keystone-ATS) The handover took place in Bern during the economy day organized by the association representing Swiss businesses. Economiesuisse has a new leader: after two three-year terms, Christoph Mäder today handed over the presidency to his successor Silvan Wildhaber. During the body's annual general meeting, according to communications from Economiesuisse itself, the new president highlighted the international context. A trade and customs war is raging around us, Wildhaber stated in his speech to the annual assembly, emphasizing that for a small open economy like Switzerland this represents a massive challenge. The 48-year-old added that every opportunity must be seized to improve trade relations, confirming a full commitment to the new free trade agreements with Malaysia and Mercosur, as well as the bilateral III agreements. The entrepreneur from St. Gallen then highlighted the importance of convincing the population of the added value of a strong economy. Companies and their employees create the country's prosperity day after day, offering an indispensable contribution. The outgoing Mäder instead pointed the finger at the stalemate in framework conditions, expressing the hope that Switzerland will once again demonstrate the will to be among the most prosperous countries, with the best educational opportunities, the most sustainable welfare systems, a stable energy supply, and the greatest number of free trade agreements.

Assembly details and appointments

Swiss President Guy Parmelin also spoke at the economy day, emphasizing the importance of diversification in foreign economic policy given global uncertainties, as well as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) Martin Schlegel, who spoke about his institution's role in guaranteeing stability during a challenging global moment. The assembly elected sixteen new committee members, four of whom also join the steering committee. Among them is Giorgio Pradelli, designated president of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), who will assume the vice-presidency of Economiesuisse. The appointment of the new president Wildhaber had instead already taken place on March 16 by the committee. The organization brings together 100 trade associations, 20 cantonal chambers of commerce, and various individual enterprises, representing approximately 100,000 companies from all sectors employing two million people. With substantial resources, the organization seeks to politically influence Switzerland, particularly in federal elections, although not always successfully, as demonstrated by some recent defeats including the Swiss people's vote in favor of the 13th AHV pension. In this context, mention should also be made of the Swiss Trade Association, which also represents businesses but is historically more oriented towards small and medium-sized enterprises compared to Economiesuisse, which is traditionally close to large multinationals and a heavily globally integrated economy.

Operational details

Economic priorities and the comparison between organizations

The statements that emerged during the Economiesuisse Economy Day highlight the divergences and complexities that characterize the Swiss entrepreneurial fabric. On the one hand, there is the position of Economiesuisse, focused on defending the interests of large multinationals and global integration through unconditional support for free trade agreements with Malaysia and Mercosur, as well as the bilateral III agreements. On the other hand, the Swiss Arts and Crafts Union operates, led by Council of States member Fabio Regazzi, which represents Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises. This structural distinction means that the positions of the two bodies do not always coincide on crucial issues of economic and federal policy.

The Swiss political and institutional context

Economiesuisse's action aims to influence the political debate and decisions in Bern with ample financial and organizational resources, although electoral results and popular votes do not always confirm the lines promoted by the association. An emblematic example cited in the recent debate is represented by the popular vote in favor of the thirteenth AVS, which marked a defeat for the positions supported by large economic groups. The reflections expressed by former president Christoph Mäder highlight concern over the blocking of framework conditions, with particular reference to the need for structural reforms in the sectors of education, social security, energy, and international trade agreements. Furthermore, the speech by Confederation President Guy Parmelin reiterated the need for a diversified foreign economic policy to cope with tariff tensions and global trade wars that threaten open economies like Switzerland's. The presence of prominent figures from the financial and institutional world, such as SNB Governing Board President Martin Schlegel, confirms the attention placed on the overall stability of the national economic system in a moment of transition and heightened international challenges.

Useful planning tools

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Key points

Opportunity analysis and economic insight tools

For those who live and work in Switzerland, following the evolution of international trade relations, bilateral agreements and economic dynamics promoted by organisations such as Economiesuisse offers a key to understanding the country's employment and growth prospects. Decisions taken at federal level regarding free trade agreements and framework conditions for companies directly affect the overall economic climate, the stability of energy supply and the competitiveness of Swiss companies in global markets.

Useful checks and tools for residents

While large economic associations discuss strategies for the future of Switzerland and the international positioning of companies, workers and residents can analyse the impact of economic and wage dynamics on their financial situation through dedicated tools. To assess your economic position, understand the trend in the cost of living or analyse the prospects related to the Swiss labour market, you can consult specific and up-to-date resources.

To deepen the impact of federal economic policies and better plan your financial and social security situation in Switzerland, discover the calcolatore stipendio e imposte available on the portal.

Source: swissinfo.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the new President of Economiesuisse?: The new president of Economiesuisse is Silvan Wildhaber, who took over from Christoph Mäder after two terms of three years each. The appointment had already taken place on March 16 by the organization committee, while the official handover was held in Bern on the occasion of the economy day organized by the association representing Swiss companies. In his speech at the annual meeting, the 48-year-old businessman from Sangalla highlighted the international context marked by trade and customs wars.
What are the economic priorities indicated by the new president?: During his speech at the annual meeting, the new president Silvan Wildhaber highlighted the challenges for the small Swiss open economy in the face of an international trade and customs war. To address this scenario, he confirmed full commitment to the new free trade agreements with Malaysia and Mercosur, as well as full support for bilateral agreements III. He also highlighted the importance of convincing the population of the added value of a strong economy, recalling that companies and employees create the well-being of the country day after day.
What organizations and personalities took part in the economy day?: The Bern event was attended by the President of the Confederation Guy Parmelin, who insisted on the diversification of foreign economic policy to face global uncertainties, and the President of the General Management of the Swiss National Bank Martin Schlegel, who focused on the role of the institution in ensuring stability at a challenging global moment. The assembly also elected sixteen new committee members, including Giorgio Pradelli, appointed president of the Swiss Bankers' Association and vice-president of Economiesuisse.