SSR President Jean-Michel Cina to Step Down After Decade at Helm

Jean-Michel Cina will step down as President of the SSR's Board of Directors, concluding a tenure of nearly ten years. He informed the board of his decision, with the SSR announcing the change on Thursday, August 20. Cina cited the successful launch of the strategic project "Enavant" and the establishment of a new management team as opportune reasons for his departure.

The SSR stated that key strategic leadership positions have been filled and the new executive committee took office in April, making it an appropriate time to transition the board presidency to a new individual. Cina's time at the helm of the SSR was marked by two significant popular initiatives concerning the future of public broadcasting. In 2018, the "No Billag" initiative was rejected by 72% of voters, and in spring 2026, the "200 francs is enough!" initiative also failed to pass, being defeated by 62% of the vote.

Before his leadership at the SSR, Cina enjoyed a prominent political career. He served as the influential head of the PDC parliamentary group in the Federal Palace from 2002 to 2005. Subsequently, he moved from Bern to Sion to serve as a state councilor, heading the Department of Economy from 2005 to 2017. It was after this period that he was proposed as President of the SSR by Federal Councilor Doris Leuthard, also a member of the PDC.