Alain Berset facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alain Berset
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Secretary General of the Council of Europe | |
| Assumed office 18 September 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Marija Pejčinović Burić |
| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023 |
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| Vice President | Viola Amherd |
| Preceded by | Ignazio Cassis |
| Succeeded by | Viola Amherd |
| In office 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018 |
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| Vice President | Ueli Maurer |
| Preceded by | Doris Leuthard |
| Succeeded by | Ueli Maurer |
| Vice President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022 |
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| President | Ignazio Cassis |
| Preceded by | Ignazio Cassis |
| Succeeded by | Viola Amherd |
| In office 1 January 2017 – 31 December 2017 |
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| President | Doris Leuthard |
| Preceded by | Doris Leuthard |
| Succeeded by | Ueli Maurer |
| Swiss Federal Councillor | |
| In office 1 January 2012 – 31 December 2023 |
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| Department | Home Affairs |
| Preceded by | Micheline Calmy-Rey |
| Succeeded by | Beat Jans |
| President of the Council of States | |
| In office 1 December 2008 – 23 November 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Christoffel Brändli |
| Succeeded by | Erika Forster-Vannini |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 April 1972 Fribourg, Switzerland |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
| Spouse |
Muriel Zeender
(m. 2002) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Belfaux, Switzerland |
| Education | University of Neuchâtel (BA, MA, PhD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
Alain Berset (born 9 April 1972) is a politician from Switzerland. He was a member of the Swiss Federal Council, which is like the government of Switzerland, from 2012 to 2023. During this time, he was in charge of the Federal Department of Home Affairs.
Alain Berset served as the President of Switzerland twice, first in 2018 and again in 2023. In June 2024, he was chosen to be the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. He started this important international role on 18 September 2024.
Contents
About Alain Berset
Early Life and Education
Alain Berset was born in Fribourg, Switzerland, on 9 April 1972. He has one younger sibling. His father, Michel Berset, was a teacher, and his mother, Solange Berset, was a bookseller.
He is very good with languages and can speak French, German, Romansh, Italian, and English fluently.
Alain Berset studied at the University of Neuchâtel. He earned a master's degree in political science in 1996. Later, in 2005, he received a PhD in economics. His PhD research looked at how people moving between countries can affect local jobs.
Family Life
Alain Berset is married to Muriel Zeender Berset. They have three children together. Their family lives in Belfaux, a village close to Fribourg.
Alain Berset's Career
Starting in Politics
From 1996 to 2000, Alain Berset worked as a teacher and researcher at the University of Neuchâtel. He then spent a year at the Hamburg Institute for Economic Research.
In 2000, he became a member of the group that helped write the laws for the canton of Fribourg. He led the Social Democratic Party's group there until 2004. He also served in the local government of Belfaux from 2001 to 2003. In 2002, he became an advisor for the economic department in the canton of Neuchâtel.
Serving in the Swiss Parliament
In 2003, Alain Berset was elected to the Swiss Council of States. This is one of the two parts of the Swiss parliament. He was the youngest member of the Council of States at that time. He was re-elected in 2007.
He became the vice president of the Council of States in 2007–2008. Then, he served as the president of this council from 2008 to 2009.
Joining the Swiss Government
On 14 December 2011, Alain Berset was chosen to join the Swiss Federal Council. This is the seven-member government that leads Switzerland. He received many votes from the parliament.
He became the head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs. This department is responsible for things like social security, health, culture, and statistics in Switzerland.
Leading Switzerland as President
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On 1 January 2017, Alain Berset became the Vice-President of the Federal Council.
Then, on 1 January 2018, he became the President of Switzerland. He was 45 years old, making him one of the youngest presidents in many years. He finished his term as president on 31 December 2018.
On 1 January 2022, he again became the Vice-President of the Federal Council.
On 7 December 2022, he was elected President of Switzerland for a second time. He started this role on 1 January 2023. He announced on 21 June 2023 that he would not seek re-election to the Federal Council. He left his government role on 31 December 2023.
Role During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As the head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, Alain Berset played a key role in Switzerland's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. He helped guide the government's actions during this challenging time.
Working for the Council of Europe
In January 2024, Alain Berset became Switzerland's candidate for the role of Secretary General of the Council of Europe. This is an important international organization that works to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe.
On 25 June 2024, he was elected as the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. He officially started this new job on 18 September 2024.
Published Works
Alain Berset has written several books and about 30 articles. These writings often focus on topics like how economies grow, how people move between places, and how different regions develop.
See also
In Spanish: Alain Berset para niños
