After twenty-five years, the baton passes from Couchepin to Cottier
Elected president of the PLR group in the Federal Chambers, the Neuchâtelois takes office on Monday. The last Romand in this position is none other than the former federal councilor from Valais.
![Elected to head the PLR parliamentary group, Damien Cottier wanted to meet his predecessors. His first visit took him to Pascal Couchepin.](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.unitycms.io/image/ocroped/1200,1200,1000,1000,0,0/IHVASpG7Tjs/AFbE8ADKaP696BQVJqYMI_.jpg?resize=1200%2C793&ssl=1)
Elected to head the PLR parliamentary group, Damien Cottier wanted to meet his predecessors. His first visit took him to Pascal Couchepin.
LOUIS DASSELBORNE
On the Place de la Gare de Martigny, a very special driver is waiting. “Come on, Damien!” The man waving behind his steering wheel is Pascal Couchepin. As soon as the car starts, the anecdotes fuse. Politics, literature, art, everything goes. “We are on familiar terms, smiles Damien Cottier. Even if, for me, it is quite new. Before, I called him Mr. Federal Councillor.