Doris Leuthard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doris Leuthard
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Doris Leuthard, 2018
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| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2017 – 31 December 2017 |
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| Vice President | Alain Berset |
| Preceded by | Johann Schneider-Ammann |
| Succeeded by | Alain Berset |
| In office 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2010 |
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| Vice President | Moritz Leuenberger Micheline Calmy-Rey |
| Preceded by | Hans-Rudolf Merz |
| Succeeded by | Micheline Calmy-Rey |
| Vice President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2016 – 31 December 2016 |
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| President | Johann Schneider-Ammann |
| Preceded by | Johann Schneider-Ammann |
| Succeeded by | Alain Berset |
| In office 1 January 2009 – 31 December 2009 |
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| President | Hans-Rudolf Merz |
| Preceded by | Hans-Rudolf Merz |
| Succeeded by | Moritz Leuenberger |
| Head of the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications | |
| In office 1 November 2010 – 31 December 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Moritz Leuenberger |
| Succeeded by | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Head of the Department of Economic Affairs | |
| In office 1 August 2006 – 31 October 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Deiss |
| Succeeded by | Johann Schneider-Ammann |
| Member of the Swiss Federal Council | |
| In office 1 August 2006 – 31 December 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Deiss |
| Succeeded by | Viola Amherd |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 April 1963 Merenschwand, Switzerland |
| Political party | Christian Democratic People's Party |
| Spouse | Roland Hausin |
| Alma mater | University of Zurich |
Doris Leuthard (born 10 April 1963) is a Swiss politician and lawyer. She was a very important leader in Switzerland for many years. From 2006 to 2018, she was a Member of the Swiss Federal Council. This is like being part of the country's main government team.
Doris Leuthard was part of the Christian Democratic People's Party. She was chosen to be the President of the Swiss Confederation twice, in 2010 and again in 2017. She also led different government departments. First, she was in charge of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs. Later, she led the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. After leaving the government, she joined the boards of the Kofi Annan Foundation and Stadler Rail.
Contents
Doris Leuthard's Political Journey
Early Career in Swiss Politics
Doris Leuthard started her political journey in the Swiss National Council. This is one of the two parts of the Swiss parliament. She represented the canton of Aargau from 1999 to 2006.
Before joining the main government, she was also the leader of her political group. She led the Christian Democratic People's Party from 2004 to 2006.
Joining the Federal Council
In 2006, Doris Leuthard was chosen to join the Swiss Federal Council. This is the group of seven people who lead the Swiss government. She was elected on 14 June 2006. She became the 109th person to join this important council.
It was a special moment because she was the fifth woman ever elected to the Federal Council. Her election also showed a change. She was a German speaker, while the person she replaced was a French speaker. Usually, they would pick someone from the same language group.
Leading Government Departments
From August 2006 to October 2010, Doris Leuthard was in charge of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs. This department handles things like the economy, education, and research for the country.
Then, in November 2010, she took on a new role. She became the head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. This department looks after important areas like protecting the environment, managing transportation, energy, and communication systems.
Becoming President of Switzerland
In Switzerland, the role of President is different from many other countries. The President is chosen from among the seven members of the Federal Council for one year. Doris Leuthard was elected Vice President in 2009. This meant she was likely to become President the next year.
She served as President of the Confederation in 2010 and again in 2017. She was the third woman to hold this important position. Before her, Ruth Dreifuss (1999) and Micheline Calmy-Rey (2007) were Presidents.
As President, Doris Leuthard led the meetings of the Federal Council. She also performed duties that are usually done by a head of state in other countries. However, in Switzerland, the entire Federal Council acts as the head of state. The President is seen as the "first among equals." This means she had no more power than her six colleagues.
Later Contributions
After her presidency in 2010, Micheline Calmy-Rey became President in 2011. This was the first time two women held the office one after another.
In 2018, Doris Leuthard was chosen by the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to join a special group. This group was called the High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation. It worked on how countries can work together on digital topics.
She also supported the project SAFFA 2020. This project was about celebrating women's achievements in Switzerland. Other important women leaders, Simonetta Sommaruga and Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, also supported it.
See also
In Spanish: Doris Leuthard para niños
- 2006 Swiss Federal Council election
