Arnold Koller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arnold Koller
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| Member of the Swiss Federal Council | |
| In office 1986–1999 |
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| Preceded by | Kurt Furgler |
| Succeeded by | Ruth Metzler |
| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 1997 – 31 December 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Jean-Pascal Delamuraz |
| Succeeded by | Flavio Cotti |
| In office 1 January 1990 – 31 December 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Jean-Pascal Delamuraz |
| Succeeded by | Flavio Cotti |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Arnold Koller
29 August 1933 St. Gallen, Switzerland |
| Political party | Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland |
| Spouses |
Erica Brander
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of St. Gallen (Licentiate) University of Fribourg (Licentiate) University of Fribourg (PhD) |
Arnold Koller (/kɒllər/; koll-ər born 29 August 1933) is a Swiss professor and politician. He served as a member of the Federal Council (Switzerland) from 1987 to 1999 for the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP). Koller previously served as a member of the National Council (Switzerland) from 1971 to 1986. He did also serve two terms of the as President of the Swiss Confederation in 1990 and 1997. He is primarily known for Lex Koller, a Swiss Federal Act on Acquisitions of Real Estate by Persons Abroad, which he initiated.
Early life and education
Koller was born 29 August 1933 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, the oldest of five children, to Alois Arnold Koller and Genoveva (née Brülisauer). His father was an organist and elementary school teacher while his mother was a homemaker. He attended schools in Appenzell. Until 1957, Koller studied Economics in St. Gallen and then until 1959 Jurisprudence at the University of Fribourg and the University of California, Berkeley. He received a Licentiate degree in both majors. He received his PhD from the University of Fribourg 1966 respectively 1971.
Career
In 1960, Koller was admitted to the Bar of Appenzell Innerrhoden. He initially worked as a counsel in the legal department of PTT and from 1964 to 1966 in the Secretary of the Swiss Cartel Commission. Since completing his doctorate, he has worked as university professor and lecturer for Economics and Jurisprudence.
Politics
He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on 10 December 1986 as a member of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland from the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. He handed over office on 30 April 1999.
Arnold Koller was Chairman of the Board of the Second International Conference on Federalism held in St. Gallen in 2002, and of the Forum of Federations from 2006 to 2010. This is an international organisation designed to help develop best practices in countries around the world with federal and devolved systems of government. With Raoul Blindenbacher he is the editor of the book "Federalism in a Changing World" published at McGill-Queens University Press, Montreal 2003.
During his time in office he held the following departments:
- Federal Military Department (1987–1988)
- Federal Department of Justice and Police (1989)
- Federal Military Department (1989)
- Federal Department of Justice and Police (1990–1999)
He was President of the Confederation twice in 1990 and 1997.
Personal life
In 1972, he married Erica Brander, then a flight attendant for Swissair. They have two daughters.
Koller became an honorary citizen of Gossau in 2011.
Works
- Blindenbacher, R. and Koller, A. (eds): Federalism in a Changing World – Learning from Each Other. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 2003
See also
In Spanish: Arnold Koller para niños
- Lex Koller
