Walter Thurnherr
Walter Thurnherr | |
---|---|
16th Chancellor of Switzerland | |
In office 1 January 2016 – 31 December 2023 | |
President | Johann Schneider-Ammann Doris Leuthard Alain Berset Ueli Maurer Simonetta Sommaruga Guy Parmelin Ignazio Cassis Alain Berset |
Vice-Chancellor | Jörg De Bernardi Viktor Rossi André Simonazzi |
Preceded by | Corina Casanova |
Succeeded by | Viktor Rossi |
Personal details | |
Born | Muri, Aargau, Switzerland | 11 July 1963
Political party | Christian Democratic People's Party (before 2021) The Centre (2021–present) |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | ETH Zurich University of Bern |
Walter Thurnherr (born 11 July 1963) is a Swiss government official who served as Chancellor of Switzerland from 2016 to 2023.[1] Although he holds a traditionally nonpartisan office, he was elected as a member of the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP/PDC). When it merged with the Conservative Democratic Party (BDP/PBD) to form The Centre (DM/LC) in 2021, Thurnherr joined the new party.
On 16 August 2023 he announced that he would leave his position before the end of 2023.[2]
Biography
Early life
Born in
Federal Chancellor
He stood for election to succeed Corina Casanova as Chancellor of Switzerland on 9 December 2015, as the first unopposed candidate in 90 years. He was elected by the Swiss Federal Assembly with 230 votes out of 234.[4][5] He assumed office on 1 January 2016. He was reelected on 11 December 2019 with 219 votes out of 224.
In a 2023 interview, Thurnherr called for Switzerland to become more involved in international matters.[6]
Personal life
Thurnherr is active on Twitter as of 2023, where he often shares his passion for physics and mathematics. He speaks English, German, French, and learned Russian as a diplomat working in Moscow. He married and has two children. In his free time he enjoys hiking and reading.[7]
References
- ^ "Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr". Federal Chancellery. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ Wutrich, Bernard (16 December 2016). "Walter Thurnherr, un médiateur au service du Conseil fédéral". Le Temps.ch. Le Temps SA. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ ATS/NXP (9 December 2015). "Walter Thurnherr élu chancelier de la Confédération". 24 Heures. ATS. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- Zurich. NZZ Mediengruppe. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- Swissinfo. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ ""No, I don't want to be a Federal Councilor." Walter Thurnherr, 55, Federal Chancellor of Switzerland". Anna Maier. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2023.