Karin Keller-Sutter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karin Keller-Sutter
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Official portrait, 2026
|
|
| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025 |
|
| Vice President | Guy Parmelin |
| Preceded by | Viola Amherd |
| Succeeded by | Guy Parmelin |
| Vice President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024 |
|
| President | Viola Amherd |
| Preceded by | Viola Amherd |
| Succeeded by | Guy Parmelin |
| Swiss Federal Councillor | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2019 |
|
| 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 |
|
| 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 on December 22, 1963, is an important Swiss politician. She has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council, which is like the country's main government, since 2019. She also served as the President of Switzerland for the year 2025.
Karin Keller-Sutter is part of the Liberals political party. She currently leads the Federal Department of Finance, managing Switzerland's money matters. Before joining the Federal Council, she was a member of the Council of States, one part of the Swiss parliament, from 2011 to 2019. She even led the Council of States as its president from 2017 to 2018. She also held many other political jobs at local and regional levels.
In 2023, the Financial Times newspaper recognized Karin Keller-Sutter as one of the most influential women globally. She was noted for her work during important financial changes in Switzerland.
Contents
Karin Keller-Sutter's Early Life and Schooling
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 chef, and her mother was Rosa Sutter.
Her family came from Jonschwil, where her parents ran a restaurant called Sonne. Many of her family members before her were innkeepers and involved in local politics in St. Gallen. Later, her parents moved to Wil and took over another restaurant, Ilge. Karin grew up there and went to local schools. She also studied in Neuchâtel.
She studied how to translate languages at a school in Zurich, which is now part of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. She also studied how governments work in London and at the University of Montréal. After that, she earned a special teaching qualification from the University of Fribourg.
Karin Keller-Sutter's Work Before Politics
While she was studying, Karin Keller-Sutter worked as a translator. She helped people communicate by translating different languages. Later, she became a teacher at a vocational school, which teaches practical skills for jobs. She also helped lead an important group called the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies.
Karin Keller-Sutter's Journey in Politics
Karin Keller-Sutter joined the FDP political party in 1987. Her political career began in Wil, where she was a local council member from 1992 to 2000. In 1997, she led the local council meetings. From 1996 to 2000, she was also a representative in the St. Gallen regional parliament. During this time, she also led the local branch of her party.
On March 12, 2000, Karin Keller-Sutter was elected to the St. Gallen regional government. There, she was put in charge of security and justice. She also helped lead a group of regional justice and police chiefs. She was the head of the regional government in 2006 and 2007.
In 2010, Karin Keller-Sutter ran for a top position in the Swiss Federal Council. This is a very important group of leaders for the whole country. She did not win that election. However, on October 23, 2011, she was elected to represent St. Gallen in the Council of States. This is one part of the Swiss parliament. She even served as the president of the Council of States from 2017 to 2018.
Karin Keller-Sutter ran for the Swiss Federal Council again on October 8, 2018. This time, she was successful. On December 5, 2018, she was elected to the Federal Council. She joined Viola Amherd, another new member.
On January 1, 2025, Karin Keller-Sutter officially became the President of Switzerland. Guy Parmelin served as the vice president during her term.
Karin Keller-Sutter's Personal Life
In 1989, Karin Keller-Sutter married Morten Keller, who is a doctor. They live in Wil, St. Gallen. They do not have children. They once had a pet dog, a Jack Russell Terrier, named Picasso. Their dog passed away in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Karin Keller-Sutter para niños
- List of current heads of state and government
- List of heads of the executive by approval rating
