Guy Parmelin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guy Parmelin
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Official portrait, 2024
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| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2021 |
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| Vice President | Ignazio Cassis |
| Preceded by | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Succeeded by | Ignazio Cassis |
| Vice President of Switzerland | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2025 |
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| President | Karin Keller-Sutter |
| Preceded by | Karin Keller-Sutter |
| In office 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2020 |
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| President | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Preceded by | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Succeeded by | Ignazio Cassis |
| Member of the Swiss Federal Council | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2016 |
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| Department | Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (2016–2018) Economic Affairs, Education and Research (2018–) |
| Preceded by | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| Member of the Swiss National Council | |
| In office 1 December 2003 – 31 December 2015 |
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| Constituency | Vaud |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Guy Bernard Parmelin
9 November 1959 Bursins, Vaud, Switzerland |
| Political party | Swiss People's Party |
| Spouse |
Caroline Merotto
(m. 1995) |
Guy Bernard Parmelin (born 9 November 1959) is an important Swiss politician. He is a Federal Councillor, which is like being a minister in the government. He leads the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Guy Parmelin is a member of the Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC). He has been a member of the Federal Council since 2016. Before leading his current department, he was in charge of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports from 2016 to 2018. He was also the President of Switzerland in 2021. He served as Vice President in 2020 and is currently the Vice President again since 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Guy Parmelin was born on 9 November 1959 in Bursins, a town in Switzerland. He was the oldest of three children. His father was a farmer and grew grapes for wine.
In 1977, he finished his high school education, called a Matura. After that, he studied agriculture at a college in Morges. In 1985, he earned a special degree in viticulture, which is the science of growing grapes. This means he became an expert in growing grapes for wine.
Journey into Politics
Starting in Vaud
Before becoming a politician, Guy Parmelin was a master wine grower. His political journey began in his home region. From 1994 to 2003, he was elected to the Grand Council of Vaud. This is like a regional parliament for the canton (state) of Vaud.
In 2003, he was elected to the National Council. This is one of the two chambers of the Swiss national parliament. From 2000 to 2004, he also led the Swiss People's Party in the canton of Vaud.
Joining the Federal Council
On 9 December 2015, Guy Parmelin was chosen by the Federal Assembly to join the Federal Council. The Federal Assembly is the Swiss parliament. He took the place of another politician, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf.
His party, the Swiss People's Party, had won a lot of votes in the 2015 election. They were expected to get a new seat in the government. Guy Parmelin was one of three candidates put forward by his party, and he was the one chosen.
Leading Switzerland
Guy Parmelin made history as the first Federal Councillor from the French-speaking part of Switzerland to be from the Swiss People's Party. When he first joined the Federal Council, he became the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports. This department looks after the country's defense and emergency services.
In 2019, he moved to lead the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. This department deals with important topics like the economy, schools, and scientific research. He served as Vice President of Switzerland in 2020.
President of Switzerland
On 1 January 2021, Guy Parmelin became the President of Switzerland. The president's role in Switzerland is different from many other countries. It's a one-year term, and the president is like a "first among equals" in the Federal Council. The president leads the Federal Council meetings and represents Switzerland.
Hosting World Leaders
As President, Guy Parmelin had the important job of hosting a big meeting in Geneva on 16 June 2021. This was the 2021 Russia–United States summit between the leaders of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the United States, Joe Biden. He welcomed them and hoped they would have a good discussion for the benefit of their countries and the world.
Personal Details
In 1995, Guy Parmelin married Caroline Merotto. They do not have any children.
See also
In Spanish: Guy Parmelin para niños
