Karin Keller-Sutter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karin Keller-Sutter
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Official portrait, 2024
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| President of Switzerland | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2025 |
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| Vice President | Guy Parmelin |
| Preceded by | Viola Amherd |
| Vice President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024 |
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| President | Viola Amherd |
| Preceded by | Viola Amherd |
| Succeeded by | Guy Parmelin |
| Swiss Federal Councillor | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2019 |
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| Department | Justice and Police (2019–2022) Finance (2023–) |
| Preceded by | Johann Schneider-Ammann |
| President of the Council of States | |
| In office 27 November 2017 – 26 November 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Ivo Bischofberger |
| Succeeded by | Jean-René Fournier |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Karin Maria Sutter
22 December 1963 Uzwil, St. Gallen, Switzerland |
| Political party | Free Democratic Party (until 2009) FDP. The Liberals (since 2009) |
| Spouse |
Morten Keller
(m. 1989) |
| Residences | Wil, St. Gallen |
| Alma mater | Zurich University of Applied Sciences University of Fribourg |
| Signature |  |
Karin Maria Keller-Sutter (born 22 December 1963) is an important Swiss politician. She became the President of Switzerland on January 1, 2025. She has also been a member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2019.
Karin Keller-Sutter is part of The Liberals political party. She is in charge of the Federal Department of Finance, which handles Switzerland's money matters. Before this, she was a member of the Council of States (Switzerland) from 2011 to 2019. She even served as the President of the Council of States from 2017 to 2018.
In 2023, the Financial Times newspaper named her one of the most influential women in the world. She was recognized for her work during a big financial event involving Credit Suisse and UBS.
Early Life and Education
Karin Maria Sutter was born on December 22, 1963, in Uzwil, Switzerland. She was the youngest of four children. Her father, Walter Sutter Sr., was a butcher who later became a chef. Her mother was Rosa Sutter.
Her family came from Jonschwil. Her parents ran a restaurant there for many years. Later, they moved to Wil and took over another restaurant. Karin grew up mostly in Wil and went to school there. She also studied in Neuchâtel.
She studied how to be a translator and interpreter in Zurich. After that, she studied political science in London and at the University of Montréal. She also earned a special teaching degree from the University of Fribourg.
Professional Career
While she was studying, Karin Keller-Sutter worked as a translator. She also worked as a conference interpreter, helping people speak across different languages. Later, she became a teacher at a vocational school.
She also helped lead the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies. This foundation helps bring together leaders and thinkers from around the world.
Political Journey
Karin Keller-Sutter joined the FDP political party in 1987. Her political career began in her hometown of Wil. She was a local councillor there from 1992 to 2000. In 1997, she was even the head of the local assembly.
From 1996 to 2000, she was a representative in the parliament of the canton of St. Gallen. She also led the local FDP party during this time.
In 2000, Karin Keller-Sutter was elected to the government of the canton of St. Gallen. She was in charge of security and justice for the canton. She also led the cantonal government in 2006–2007.
In 2011, she was elected to represent St. Gallen in the Council of States (Switzerland). This is one of the two chambers of the Swiss parliament. She became the President of the Council of States for a year, from 2017 to 2018.
On December 5, 2018, she was elected to the Swiss Federal Council. This is like the government's cabinet in Switzerland. She joined Viola Amherd as a new member.
On January 1, 2025, Karin Keller-Sutter became the President of Switzerland. Guy Parmelin is serving as the Vice President alongside her.
Personal Life
In 1989, Karin Keller-Sutter married Morten Keller, who is a medical doctor. They do not have children. They live in Wil, Switzerland. They have a dog, a Jack Russell Terrier named Picasso.
See also
In Spanish: Karin Keller-Sutter para niños
