Roger Nordmann, the prominent Swiss politician from the Social Democratic Party (SP), has announced his resignation from the Swiss National Council after two decades of dedicated service. Effective March 20, 2025, Nordmann conveyed his decision during interviews with the French-speaking Swiss newspaper Le Temps and CH Media, expressing the need for change as he feels the inevitable signs of wear and tear after such a lengthy political career.
Nordmann, 52, made significant contributions to Swiss politics, particularly within the energy sector where he became well-known for his tireless efforts in promoting climate initiatives. "After 20 years of service, I feel the inevitable signs of wear and tear," he remarked, echoing the sentiment, "It's like in sport: you can't do one season too many." He emphasized the importance of allowing new voices to emerge within his party, stating, "My party has many new forces waiting to be heard. I can pass the baton to my successor with confidence." His successor is Benoît Gaillard, who has been active as a member of the Lausanne city parliament since 2011.
Throughout his political career, Nordmann participated in 82 regular sessions of the National Council and spent eight years as the president of the SP parliamentary group. His time in the Council began shortly after Christoph Blocher took office as a Federal Council member, marking the start of what would be many pivotal moments for Nordmann and the SP. His legacy includes major achievements, particularly relating to the energy transition and climate policy, where he advocated for the promotion of renewable energy and implemented significant reforms.
His initiatives included the solar energy expansion, which grew from contributing less than 0.1 percent of the electricity supply when he started to now representing twelve percent of Swiss electricity production. He was also instrumental in developing and passing the CO2 tax for energy renovations, aimed at incentivizing homeowners to replace outdated heating systems. Reflecting on his contributions, Nordmann stated, "Today [solar energy] is twelve percent of the energy production, which is outstanding compared to where we started. The energy and climate initiatives I worked on are what I’m most proud of."
Despite this success, Nordmann faced challenges transitioning to higher political positions. He campaigned for the Federal Council position to succeed Alain Berset but was not selected. Instead, the party opted for the dual ticket of Beat Jans and Jon Pult, leaving Nordmann disappointed but still focused on the future. He stated, "It’s clear I didn’t get to where I wanted, but my commitment to energy politics and my role as advisor will continue. I am leaving politics for the time being, but I do not rule out a return."
His resignation marks the end of a significant chapter for the SP and the Swiss political scene. Nordmann, known for his competent leadership and ability to find compromises, leaves behind not only achievements but also valuable insights on the challenges faced by the political system. He was recognized as one of the driving forces behind the Energiewende (energy transition) and contributed to the Climate Protection Law, which has been pivotal for Switzerland’s climate strategy.
Looking forward, Nordmann is set to step away from the frontline of politics to focus on his career outside the political sphere, taking on roles as an independent consultant and board member of various organizations. On March 20, he will officially resign, signifying the transition from being an active lawmaker involved deeply in debates to finding new paths to influence through economic and advisory avenues. His final act as National Councillor will involve presenting detailed proposals for banking regulations during his last session.
With Nordmann's departure, the SP is expected to evolve with fresh energy and perspectives, as he notes the party’s reservoir of new talents ready to step up. "It’s time for change not just for me but also for the party to bring forward new ideas and leadership," he concluded.