The by-elections resulted in the elections of Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP-SG) and Viola Amherd (CVP-VS), yielding no change in the partisan composition of the council.

[3] The languages also retained the same representation (4 german-speakers, 2 french-speakers, and 1 italian-speaker) and catholics represented the majority of the federal council for the first time.

[4] In Switzerland, the 7-seat executive Federal Council is apportioned between the parties following the unwritten agreement known as the Magic formula.

[2] Despite her being elected slightly earlier, the Federal Council voted to give Keller-Sutter priority to choose her department.

Amherd ultimately received the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, considered the least senior position in the council.

Ueli Maurer (SVP-ZH) was supported by all groups, as he had served the longest on the Federal Council since being last president in 2013 and was vice-president the previous year.

Simonetta Sommaruga (SP-BE) was supported by all groups, as she had served the longest on the Federal Council since her last presidency in 2015.