Author: Federal Councillor Martin Pfister / State Secretariat for Defence (SED)
Source: https://www.news.admin.ch
Publication Date: 18 December 2025
Reading Time: approx. 3 minutes
Executive Summary
The Federal Council has established a search committee for the succession of Director Michaela Schärer at the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP). The broadly supported committee will evaluate candidacies and present them to the SED head; the Federal Council will make the final selection. This new appointment is strategically relevant for Switzerland's national security and disaster protection policy.
Critical Guiding Questions
- Transparency: How open will the search process be designed? What criteria apply to candidate selection?
- Accountability: Does the search committee bear accountability to Parliament or only to the Federal Council?
- Freedom & Pluralism: Are external or independent experts represented on the committee, or does administrative hierarchy dominate?
- Innovation: Will the succession be used as an opportunity to modernize FOCP strategies (e.g., climate risks, cybersecurity)?
- Continuity: How will knowledge transfer from Schärer to the new leadership be secured?
Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives
| Time Horizon | Expected Development |
|---|---|
| Short-term (1 year) | Search process completed; new director takes office; transition phase with Schärer |
| Medium-term (5 years) | New leadership sets priorities (climate adaptation, digitalization, disaster protection); resource allocation adjusted |
| Long-term (10–20 years) | FOCP role redefined in context of global security risks; structures possibly reformed |
Main Summary
Core Topic & Context
The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) is seeking a new director. Michaela Schärer is leaving the position. The Federal Council has appointed a five-member search committee that will evaluate candidacies and submit proposals to the Defence Department (SED).
Key Facts & Figures
- Search Committee: 5 members from administration and cantons
- Chair: Daniel Büchel (Secretary-General SED)
- Committee Members: Robert Scheidegger (SED Deputy), Jakob Signer (President RK MZF, Canton Appenzell Innerrhoden), Romain Collaud (Security Director Canton Fribourg), Christine Hofmann (former Deputy FOEN)
- Decision-maker: Federal Council (selection)
- ⚠️ Timeline for search process not communicated
- ⚠️ Criteria and job profile for new leadership not made public
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
- Benefits: Federal Council (receives curated candidate list); SED (continuity in security policy)
- Affected: FOCP staff (leadership change); cantons (civil protection coordination); population (emergency protection)
- Critical: Public (transparency on search criteria unclear)
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Fresh perspectives in civil protection | Internal candidate could jeopardize continuity |
| Stronger focus on modern risks (climate, cyber) | Transition phase gaps in crisis competency |
| Broader support through cantons (RK MZF representative) | Dominance of SED hierarchy in search committee |
| External expertise (FOEN experience through Hofmann) | Lack of public participation in candidate selection |
Action Relevance
For Decision-makers:
- Publish transparency report on search criteria and timeline
- Ensure search committee operates independently
- Guarantee transition stability in FOCP operations
To Monitor:
- Timing of selection and name of new leadership
- Strategic reorientation under new director
Quality Assurance & Fact-checking
- [x] Central statements and names verified
- [x] Committee members and their functions verified
- [x] Unconfirmed data (timeline, criteria) marked with ⚠️
- [x] No apparent political bias in press release
Additional Research
- Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP): www.babs.admin.ch – Mandates and current challenges
- Government Conference on Military, Civil Protection, Fire Services (RK MZF): Coordination body for cantonal security
- State Secretariat for Defence (SED): Organizational structure and strategic priorities
References
Primary Source:
Federal Council Press Release – "Succession Director Federal Office for Civil Protection: Federal Councillor Martin Pfister Establishes Search Committee" (18 December 2025)
https://www.news.admin.ch
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 5 December 2025
This text was created with the support of Claude Haiku 4.5.
Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 5 December 2025