Former Swiss government minister Alain Berset has been elected as the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe by the organisation's parliamentary assembly. Do you want to read our weekly top stories? Subscribe here. Berset received the most votes in the second round of voting in Strasbourg on Tuesday. He will be the first Swiss to hold this office when he assumes duties in September. He received 114* votes after the second round of voting in Strasbourg, France, announced by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Theodoros Rousopoulos. The other candidates, Estonian Indrek Saar and Belgian Didier Reynders, received 85 and 46 votes respectively. A total of 245 valid ballot papers were received. In a short speech to parliament, Berset thanked Switzerland for its support. He also emphasised the importance of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Berset was elected as the 15th Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Marija Pejcinovic Buric from Croatia will ...
