Viola Amherd
Viola Amherd | |
|---|---|
Swiss Federal Councillor | |
| In office 1 January 2019 – 31 March 2025 | |
| Department | Defence, Civil Protection and Sport |
| Preceded by | Doris Leuthard |
| Succeeded by | Martin Pfister |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Viola Patricia Amherd 7 June 1962 Brig-Glis, Valais, Switzerland |
| Political party | The Centre (since 2021) |
| Other political affiliations | Christian Democratic People's (until 2021) |
| Alma mater | University of Fribourg |
| Occupation |
|
Viola Patricia Amherd (born 7 June 1962) is a Swiss politician who served as a Member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2019 to 2025, and as President of the Swiss Confederation for 2024 between 1 January and 31 December. She was the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport.[1] Amherd was a member of the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP/PDC) before it merged with the Conservative Democratic Party (BDP/PBD) to form The Centre (DM/LC) in 2021, which she joined.
Biography
Political career
Amherd was a member of the city council of Brig-Glis (Stadtrat, executive member) from 1992 to 1996, vice president of the municipality of Brig-Glis from 1996 to 2000 and president of the municipality of Brig-Glis from 2000 to 2012. Representing the canton of Valais, she was member of the Swiss National Council from 31 May 2005 to 31 December 2018.[2] In the election for the Federal Council of 9 December 2015, Amherd received 16 votes for the vacant seat held by Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf until the following 31 December, although she had not put her name forward as a candidate. The seat eventually went to Guy Parmelin.
In the course of speculations about a candidature for the
On 10 December 2018, it was announced that Amherd would head the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) from 1 January 2019. Amherd became the first woman to hold the position.[1]
Following the
On 7 December 2022, Amherd was elected Vice-President of the Federal Council for 2023 alongside Alain Berset who was elected President. On 13 December 2023, the federal Assembly elected Amherd President of the Swiss Confederation for 2024 with 158 out of 243 votes. She began serving in that function on 1 January 2024. As president, Amherd has delivered a traditional New Year's address.[6] Her term as president ended on 31 December 2024 as Karin Keller-Sutter took over the following day. On 15 January 2025, Amherd announced that she would resign as a Federal Councillor in March 2025.[7][8]
Personal life
Amherd
References
- ^ a b "FOKUS: Departements-Rochade" (in German). 10 vor 10. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Werdegang" (in German). viola-amherd.ch. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "Porträt von Bundesratskandidatin Viola Amherd" (in German). SRF Echo der Zeit. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "Swiss Sports Minister calls on IOC to exclude Russian and Belarusian officials". www.insidethegames.biz. 17 April 2022.
- ^ "Swiss defence minister repeats calls for stronger army". SWI swissinfo.ch. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Bundesrat, Der. "2024 - Neujahrsansprache von Bundespräsidentin Viola Amherd". www.admin.ch (in German). Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Swiss Defence Minister Viola Amherd resigns". Reuters. 15 January 2025.
- ^ "Swiss Defence Minister Viola Amherd announces resignation". 15 January 2025.
External links
- Official website (in German and French)
- Biography of Viola Amherd on the website of the Swiss Parliament.
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