In Switzerland the role of president is largely a ceremonial post and it rotates on a yearly basis among the seven members of the cabinet. Mr Ogi’s resignation is expected to lead to several weeks of political wrangling before a new president is elected. His retirement is likely to re-ignite a debate about the future of the “magic formula” under which the seven ministries have been divided up between the four biggest parties since 1959.

Of his resignation the 58-year-old president said 'I'm not tired of office', but the decision could mean uncomfortable times ahead for Switzerland's power-sharing system. As the only representative of the right-wing Swiss People's Party in the council, the moderate Ogi will leave an opening for someone further to the right when he steps down. He has joined other members of the cabinet in favouring membership of the European Union and the UN, proposals which meet opposition in his own party

There is also likely to be an intense succession battle between the two rival wings within the People’s Party. Ogi represents the more liberal, Berne-based wing of the party and found himself in recent years under political pessure from the more right-wing, Zurich-based section of the party.

United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan, praised Ogi for his major contribution to strengthening Switzerland's international commitment, saying: 'He is a man of great energy, and a man with an extraordinary capacity for human contact.' Mr Ogi had fought to end Switzerland's isolation and he became a figure of integration before a key vote in December 1992 on membership of the European Economic Area. Not only did the Swiss government lose the vote, but Ogi lost many allies within his People's Party. His party was often against him as he strove to bring Switzerland into a wider Europe.

But Adolf Ogi has done much for Switzerland and if Swiss press reports announcing his departure are anything to go by, this "controversial man of the people" will be sorely missed.