1944 - A year in Switzerland: The ghosts of the 1918 general strike

In 1944, Switzerland was the only surviving democracy in this part of the continent. But the Federal Council had full powers, and Swiss democracy was undergoing some adjustments. Voting was less frequent and political life had been muted since 1939. In 1944, Ernst Nobst, a Socialist, entered the Federal Council for the first time. He was in charge of finance and customs, two key areas of responsibility.

So, it was time for a change