Swiss president calls for extending presidential term from one to two years

GENEVA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Outgoing president of Switzerland, Doris Leuthard, on Friday called for extending the country's presidential term to two years, instead of the current 12 months, which she said will "better serve Switzerland's interests."

After one year in office, she will in January hand over the Swiss presidency to Alain Berset who heads the home affairs ministry.

The Swiss presidency is rotated on a yearly basis among the seven members of the Federal Council, who do not all belong to the same political party.

Leuthard said in an interview with Swiss public radio, RTS, on Friday that two consecutive years would be ideal, although she noted the Swiss parliament might not like that arrangement.

For Leuthard, limiting the presidency to one year does not help Switzerland on an international level.

"After a year, you have built up quite big network because you are travelling, you get to know quite a few presidents and then afterwards you step back and somebody else has to work on these relations.

"It's not really very good for international contacts," she said in her interview.

Leuthard will shortly finish her second term as president, having last held the post in 2010. Enditem