Didier Burkhalter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Didier Burkhalter
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | |
| In office 1 January 2014 – 31 December 2014 |
|
| Preceded by | Leonid Kozhara |
| Succeeded by | Ivica Dačić |
| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2014 – 31 December 2014 |
|
| Vice President | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Preceded by | Ueli Maurer |
| Succeeded by | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Vice President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013 |
|
| President | Ueli Maurer |
| Preceded by | Ueli Maurer |
| Succeeded by | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 1 January 2012 – 31 October 2017 |
|
| Preceded by | Micheline Calmy-Rey |
| Succeeded by | Ignazio Cassis |
| Head of the Department of Home Affairs | |
| In office 1 November 2009 – 31 December 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Pascal Couchepin |
| Succeeded by | Alain Berset |
| Member of the Swiss Federal Council | |
| In office 1 November 2009 – 31 October 2017 |
|
| Preceded by | Pascal Couchepin |
| Succeeded by | Ignazio Cassis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Didier Eric Burkhalter
17 April 1960 Auvernier, Switzerland |
| Political party | Free Democratic Party (until 2009) FDP.The Liberals (since 2009) |
| Spouse | Friedrun Sabine Burkhalter |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Neuchâtel |
Didier Eric Burkhalter (born April 17, 1960) is a Swiss politician. He was a very important person in the Swiss government. He served as a Member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2009 to 2017. In 2014, he even became the President of Switzerland. He is a member of the FDP.The Liberals political party.
Didier Burkhalter was chosen for the Swiss Federal Council on September 16, 2009. He took over from Pascal Couchepin on November 1, 2009. At first, he led the Federal Department of Home Affairs. From January 1, 2012, to October 31, 2017, he was in charge of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. As President of Switzerland, he also led the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2014. He left the Federal Council on October 31, 2017.
Contents
Early Life and Political Journey
Didier Burkhalter was born in Auvernier, Switzerland. He started his political career in his home region.
Local and National Roles
- From 1990 to 2001, he was part of the Grand Council of Neuchâtel. This is like a local parliament.
- He also served in the city government of Neuchâtel from 1991 to 2005.
- He was the Mayor of Neuchâtel several times. This happened in 1994/1995, 1998/1998, and 2001/2002.
- From 2003 to 2007, he was a member of the Swiss National Council. This is one of the two chambers of the Swiss parliament.
- He was part of the Free Democratic Party until it joined with another party to form FDP.The Liberals in 2009.
Joining the Federal Council
On November 11, 2007, Burkhalter was elected to the Council of States. This is the other chamber of the Swiss parliament. Two years later, in 2009, he was chosen for the Swiss Federal Council. This is the highest executive body in Switzerland.
President of Switzerland
On December 4, 2013, Didier Burkhalter was elected as the President of the Swiss Confederation for 2014. He received many votes from the Federal Assembly.
What the President Does
On January 1, 2014, Burkhalter officially became President. As President, he led meetings of the Federal Council. He also performed important duties that a head of state would do in other countries. However, in Switzerland, the entire Federal Council acts as the head of state. The President is mostly a "first among equals." This means they are the leader, but they don't have more power than the other six members of the Federal Council.
Later Career and Resignation
Didier Burkhalter studied Economics at the University of Neuchâtel. He is married and has three children.
On June 14, 2017, Burkhalter announced that he would leave his position as a Federal Councillor. His last day was October 31, 2017. Ignazio Cassis took his place. In April 2018, Burkhalter explained that he had different opinions from his colleagues on some important topics. These included arms exports to places with conflicts and ensuring equal pay for men and women. He called these "fundamental values."
See also
In Spanish: Didier Burkhalter para niños
- List of foreign ministers in 2017
