WI: Swiss Monarchy

Part of the problem is that an Old Swiss Confederacy alternate enough to consider having an elected monarchy is going to be so different from OTL that few reasonable comparisons can be made. I mean, it's quite incorrect to even talk about 'Switzerland' before the Napoleonic Confederation of 1803 as it was little more than an 'eternal' alliance and trade league between otherwise essentially independent states with a generally unified foreign policy (apart from the period from the Reformation till the Peace of Westphalia when it was quite close to fracturing from internal issues) agreed upon by the voting members (the Cantons) and a set of dependent areas (the associates and condominiums) with varying levels of autonomy*

This strong desire to preserve the local autonomy of all parties stems back to the initial rebellion against the Habsburgs in 1291 by the mountain farmers of the Waldstätten, so it's going to take a major change to go for a king, even if he is elected.

That being said, assuming for some reason that the Swiss decide they need a monarch (probably a powerless figurehead) and assuming he's not being imposed by another, it's easier to list where the monarch won't be coming from. Assuming all else is roughly similar to OTL, then you can immediately rule out the Habsburgs, Savoys, rulers of Milan, rulers of Burgundy and anyone related to the Holy Roman Emperor as all of the above have far too many claims to authority over Swiss land for them to be considered. There's a slight possibility of a neutral great power or the Pope (by which I mean being nominally ruled by the Pope) depending on the era, but really I think there are two basic possibilities which would be considered:

1. Somebody from within the confederation. Perhaps the throne rotates through the rulers of each canton, or perhaps someone like the Prince of Neuchatel or one of the Prince Bishops or Prince-Abbots.

2. More likely IMO: A complete nobody. The second son of a minor Swabian Lord or a rich merchant or a particularly good general. Somebody who brings skills in ruling but doesn't have any political attachments.
 
What if Switzerland decides to form an elective monarchy? Who would be the most plausible candidate?
If one Swiss member state obtains the right to a monarchy, ALL Swiss cantons will have (or demand) a right to crown their own monarch.

Let the reign of absurdity begin.

Still not as complex as the hundred states of the Holy Roman Empire. :p
 
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