Élisabeth Baume-Schneider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Élisabeth Baume-Schneider
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Swiss Federal Councillor | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2023 |
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| Department | Justice and Police (2023) Home Affairs (2024–present) |
| Preceded by | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Member of the Swiss Council of States | |
| Assumed office 2 December 2019 |
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| Constituency | Jura |
| Member of the Government of the Canton of Jura | |
| In office 1 January 2003 – 31 December 2015 |
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| Department | Education (2003–2006) Formation, Culture and Sports (2007–2015) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 December 1963 Saint-Imier, Bern, Switzerland |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Pierre-André Baume |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Neuchâtel |
Élisabeth Baume-Schneider (born 24 December 1963) is a Swiss politician. She is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SP). Currently, she serves as a member of the Federal Council, which is like the government of Switzerland.
She was chosen for this important role on 7 December 2022. She is the first person from the Canton of Jura to be elected to the Federal Council.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Élisabeth Baume-Schneider was born in Saint-Imier. Her parents were farmers. Her grandparents came from the Seeland area in Canton Bern.
She finished high school in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1983. After that, she studied social sciences at the University of Neuchâtel. She earned her degree in 1987. From 1989 to 2002, she worked as a social worker. She helped people in the Franches-Montagnes area. Later, she worked for the government of the Canton of Jura.
Political Career
Early in her political life, Élisabeth Baume-Schneider was inspired by the Polish trade union Solidarnosc. She also worked with Amnesty International. She joined the Socialist Workers Party before becoming a member of the Social Democratic Party (SP).
In 1995, she became a member of the Parliament of Jura. This is the main law-making body for the Canton of Jura. She even served as its president in 2000.
From December 2002 to 2015, she was part of the government of the Canton of Jura. During this time, she was the minister for education, culture, and sports. She also led the strategic committee of the Haute École Arc.
As a leader in Jura, she helped with talks to move the town of Moutier from Canton Bern to Canton Jura. Canton Bern is mostly German-speaking, while Jura is mostly French-speaking. She also started a high school exam in the canton that was given in two languages.
In the federal elections of 2019, Baume-Schneider was elected to the Council of States. This is one of the two parts of the Swiss parliament. In January 2020, she joined the advisory council of the Fachhochschule. In November 2022, she announced she wanted to become a member of the Federal Council.
Becoming a Federal Councillor
On 7 December 2022, Élisabeth Baume-Schneider was elected to the Federal Council. She took the place of Simonetta Sommaruga, who was retiring. She made history as the first person from the Canton of Jura to join the Federal Council. Jura is the newest of the Swiss cantons.
Her election changed the balance of representation in the Federal Council. Before her election, there were more members from the German-speaking parts of Switzerland. After she joined, there were only three out of seven councillors from German-speaking regions.
She was given the role of leading the Federal Department of Justice and Police. She took over from Karin Keller-Sutter, who moved to lead the Federal Department of Finance.
Personal Life
Élisabeth Baume-Schneider is married and has two children. Her family comes from Les Breuleux, Jura, Switzerland. She owns some Blacknose sheep there.
She had her second child in 2000, while she was leading the Grand Council of Jura. She tried to balance her work and family life. She hoped to set aside half a day each week for her family while working in the executive council of Jura. However, she found this was not possible. She was thankful that her partner reduced his work hours to help out.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2024
See also
In Spanish: Élisabeth Baume-Schneider para niños
