Kurt Furgler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kurt Furgler
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| Member of the Swiss Federal Council | |
| In office 1 January 1972 – 31 December 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Ludwig von Moos |
| Succeeded by | Arnold Koller |
| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 1985 – 31 December 1985 |
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| Preceded by | Leon Schlumpf |
| Succeeded by | Alphons Egli |
| In office 1 January 1981 – 31 December 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Georges-André Chevallaz |
| Succeeded by | Fritz Honegger |
| In office 1 January 1977 – 31 December 1977 |
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| Preceded by | Rudolf Gnägi |
| Succeeded by | Willy Ritschard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 June 1924 St. Gallen, Switzerland |
| Died | 23 July 2008 (aged 84) St. Gallen, Switzerland |
| Political party | Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland |
| Alma mater | University of Fribourg, Graduate Institute of International Studies |
Kurt Furgler (born June 24, 1924 – died July 23, 2008) was an important Swiss politician. He was a member of the Swiss government, called the Federal Council of Switzerland, for many years. He also served as the President of Switzerland three times.
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Who Was Kurt Furgler?
Kurt Furgler was born and grew up in St. Gallen, Switzerland. He studied law in different Swiss cities like Fribourg, Zürich, and Geneva. When he was young, he was a keen handball player. In 1948, he became a lawyer in St. Gallen.
Joining the Government
Kurt Furgler was chosen to join the Federal Council of Switzerland on December 8, 1971. This is like being a minister in other countries. He was part of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland. He worked in the government until December 31, 1986.
His Roles in Government
During his time in office, Kurt Furgler was in charge of different government departments:
- Federal Department of Justice and Police (1972–1982)
- Federal Department of Economic Affairs (1983–1986)
He was also the President of Switzerland three times. These years were 1977, 1981, and 1985. The president leads the Federal Council for one year.
Important Decisions and Actions
As a member of the government, Kurt Furgler worked on many important changes. He supported equal rights for women. He also helped to update laws about the economy, immigration, and Swiss family life.
Switzerland's Role in Europe
Kurt Furgler believed Switzerland should work more closely with other European countries. In 1982, he signed the Luxembourg Declaration. This agreement aimed for better cooperation between the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). These are groups of European countries that work together.
Handling a Crisis
In September 1982, Kurt Furgler led a special team during a difficult situation. This was when people were held hostage at the Polish embassy in Bern. He was in charge of managing this serious event.
Welcoming World Leaders
In November 1985, Kurt Furgler played a big role in international relations. He welcomed American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to Geneva. They met for important talks about controlling weapons. This meeting was a very significant global event.
Life After Government
Kurt Furgler left his government role in 1986. However, he continued to be active in many important groups. He was part of organizations like the Club of Rome, the InterAction Council, and the International Olympic Committee. He passed away on July 23, 2008.
