Micheline Calmy-Rey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Micheline Calmy-Rey
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Official portrait, 2011
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| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2011 – 31 December 2011 |
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| Vice President | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| Preceded by | Doris Leuthard |
| Succeeded by | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| In office 1 January 2007 – 31 December 2007 |
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| Vice President | Pascal Couchepin |
| Preceded by | Moritz Leuenberger |
| Succeeded by | Pascal Couchepin |
| Vice President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 November 2010 – 31 December 2010 |
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| President | Doris Leuthard |
| Preceded by | Moritz Leuenberger |
| Succeeded by | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| In office 1 January 2006 – 31 December 2006 |
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| President | Moritz Leuenberger |
| Preceded by | Moritz Leuenberger |
| Succeeded by | Pascal Couchepin |
| Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 1 January 2003 – 31 December 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Deiss |
| Succeeded by | Didier Burkhalter |
| Member of the Swiss Federal Council | |
| In office 1 January 2003 – 31 December 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Ruth Dreifuss |
| Succeeded by | Alain Berset |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 July 1945 Sion, Switzerland |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
| Spouse | André Calmy |
| Alma mater | Graduate Institute of International Studies |
Micheline Anne-Marie Calmy-Rey (born on July 8, 1945) is a Swiss politician. She was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2003 to 2011. During her time on the Council, she led the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. She also served as President of the Swiss Confederation twice, in 2007 and 2011.
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Early Life and Education
Micheline Calmy-Rey was born in Sion, a town in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. This was on July 8, 1945. Her parents were Charles and Adeline Rey. She finished her high school studies in 1963. Later, in 1968, she earned a degree in political science. She studied at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. While she was a student, she married André Calmy. They have two children together.
Political Career
Micheline Calmy-Rey first started a small business. It was involved in distributing books. From 1981 to 1997, she was a representative in the Grand Conseil of the canton of Geneva. She was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. She even served as the president of this assembly from 1992 to 1993. She also led the Geneva branch of her party for several years.
In 1997, Calmy-Rey was elected to the Conseil d'Etat of Geneva. This is like a state government. In 2001, she became the head of the finance department there. She also became the president of the Conseil d'Etat for the canton.
On December 4, 2002, she was elected to the Federal Council. This is Switzerland's main governing body. She led the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2011. Micheline Calmy-Rey was the fourth woman ever elected to the Federal Council. She also served as Vice-President of Switzerland in 2006 and 2010.
Calmy-Rey has supported Switzerland joining the European Union. She is also an important member of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation. This foundation works for peace and human rights. She also supported the SAFFA 2020 project. This project promotes women's rights and equality.
Since 2016, Calmy-Rey has been on the board of the Global Leadership Foundation. This group helps democratic leaders around the world. They work to prevent conflicts and promote good governance. They do this by sharing the experiences of former leaders. She is also a board member for GESDA in Geneva. This organization focuses on science and diplomacy.
Presidency of Switzerland
On January 1, 2007, Micheline Calmy-Rey became the second female president of Switzerland. The first was Ruth Dreifuss. She was elected president on December 13, 2006. It was expected she would be chosen. This is because she had served the longest on the Federal Council without being president. She had also been vice-president in 2006.
As President, she led meetings of the Federal Council. She also performed duties that a head of state would do in other countries. However, in Switzerland, the entire Federal Council acts as the head of state. She was the highest-ranking official in Switzerland. She could act for the whole Council in emergencies. But usually, she was just prima inter pares, meaning "first among equals." She had no more power than her six colleagues.
She had already handled most official visits to other countries. This is a traditional role for the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Calmy-Rey was chosen as vice president for 2010. She served alongside Doris Leuthard. On December 8, 2010, she was chosen as president again for 2011. This was the first time two women held the post one after another.
Calmy-Rey is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders. This group connects current and former women presidents and prime ministers. Their goal is to work together on important issues for women and fair development.
In September 2011, she announced she would leave the government. Her term ended in December of that year.
From 2012 to 2013, Calmy-Rey was an advisor. She was part of the High-Level Advisory Council for the President of the United Nations General Assembly. This was for the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Political Beliefs
Micheline Calmy-Rey is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. She is known for being "pro-European." In February 2014, she said Switzerland should join the European Union. This would help Switzerland be part of Europe's political discussions. In 2016, she worried about Brexit. This was when the United Kingdom left the European Union. She suggested Switzerland and Great Britain should work closely together.
In February 2020, Calmy-Rey joined many former European leaders. They signed a letter published in The Guardian newspaper. The letter criticized a U.S. President's plan for peace in the Middle East. They said the plan could create an unfair situation for Palestinians.
Academic Work
In May 2012, Micheline Calmy-Rey became a visiting professor. She taught at the University of Geneva.
Other Important Roles
- She was a member of a United Nations panel on global sustainability. This group published a report in February 2012.
- She was also on a UN panel about responding to health crises. A report from this group came out in January 2016.
- She is a member of the council for the Global Leadership Foundation (GLF).
- She is a council member for the GESDA foundation.
Awards and Honors
- 2011: Received the Prix Diaspora. This was for her role in recognizing Kosovo's independence.
- 2012: Awarded the Medal of Honor of Armenia.
- 2012: Received an honorary doctorate from the International University in Geneva.
- 2014: Given the Badge of the Order of Friendship. This was for helping strengthen friendship and cooperation between Russia and Switzerland.
- 2017: Named an honorary citizen of the city of Viti, Kosovo.
See also
In Spanish: Micheline Calmy-Rey para niños
