[7] The FDP claimed that Lüscher was not at all meant as an appeasement, and that he was as legitimate a candidate as Burkhalter.

[12] The Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) maintained that it was entitled to a second seat on the Federal Council, but that it had not yet decided when to try and obtain it.

SP representatives stated that they would consider the candidates of CVP and FDP on their own merits, as they don't see either of the two parties having a natural claim to the seat; supporting the Greens was seen as unlikely, but possible.

[14] Analysts stated the SP had to take into account that it would likely shortly have to replace Moritz Leuenberger's seat, and that it couldn't risk alienating the FDP too strongly.

The SP also stated it would openly announce its voting behaviour (likely in an attempt to show that some SVP members – likely from constituencies strongly influenced by the farming community – would vote for Schwaller, who had tried to raise his profile as a critic of agricultural free trade with the EU).

[18] Federal Council elections proceed in as many ballots as are required for a candidate to receive an absolute majority of valid votes.

After the third ballot, Christian Lüscher asked his colleagues to support Didier Burkhalter.