Micheline Calmy-Rey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Micheline Calmy-Rey
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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 8 July 1945) is a Swiss politician. She was a member of the Swiss government from 2003 to 2011. During this time, she was in charge of the country's foreign affairs. She also served as President of Switzerland twice, in 2007 and 2011. She is a member of the Social Democratic Party.
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Early Life and School
Micheline Calmy-Rey was born in Sion, a town in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. This happened on July 8, 1945. She finished her high school studies in 1963. Later, she earned a university degree in political science in 1968. She studied at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. While she was studying, she married André Calmy. They have two children together.
Political Career
Before entering national politics, Calmy-Rey ran a small business that distributed books. From 1981 to 1997, she was a member of the parliament for the canton of Geneva. She belonged to the Social Democratic Party. She even served as the president of this parliament from 1992 to 1993. She also led the Geneva branch of her party for several years.
In 1997, Calmy-Rey was elected to the Geneva cantonal government. She became the head of the finance department in 2001. In the same year, she became the president of Geneva's cantonal government.
On December 4, 2002, she was elected to the Federal Council. This is the main government of Switzerland. She was in charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2011. Micheline Calmy-Rey was the fourth woman ever to be elected to the Federal Council. She also served as Vice President of Switzerland in 2006 and 2010.
Calmy-Rey supports Switzerland joining the European Union. She also works with organizations that promote good leadership and human rights.
Becoming President
On January 1, 2007, Micheline Calmy-Rey became the second female President of Switzerland. The first was Ruth Dreifuss, who was also a member of the Federal Council. Calmy-Rey was chosen as president on December 13, 2006. In Switzerland, it's a tradition that the longest-serving council member who hasn't been president yet gets the role. She had also been the 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 is considered the head of state. She was the highest-ranking official in the country. She could act for the whole Council in emergencies. But usually, she was simply "first among equals," meaning she had no more power than her six colleagues.
She often handled official visits to other countries. This is a common role for the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Calmy-Rey was chosen as vice president again for 2010. She served alongside Doris Leuthard. On December 8, 2010, she was chosen as president for 2011 for the second time. This was the first time two women held the presidential role one after another.
Micheline Calmy-Rey is part of the Council of Women World Leaders. This group brings together current and former women presidents and prime ministers. Their goal is to work together on important issues for women and fair development around the world.
In September 2011, she announced that she would leave the government in December of that year.
From 2012 to 2013, Calmy-Rey was an advisor to the President of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Political Ideas
Micheline Calmy-Rey is a member of the Socialist party. She supports closer ties between Switzerland and Europe. In 2014, she said Switzerland should join the European Union. This would help Switzerland be part of Europe's political plans. In 2016, she worried about Brexit (the UK leaving the EU). But she suggested Switzerland should work closely with Great Britain, as both countries now faced similar situations with the EU.
In 2020, Calmy-Rey joined many former European leaders. They signed a letter that criticized a Middle East peace plan. They said it would create an unfair situation for Palestinians.
Teaching Career
In May 2012, Calmy-Rey became a visiting professor at the University of Geneva.
Other Activities
- She was a member of a United Nations group on global sustainability.
- She was also part of a UN group on how to respond to health crises.
- She is a member of the board for the Global Leadership Foundation (GLF). This group helps leaders promote good governance.
- She is a board member of GESDA (Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator).
Awards and Honors
- 2011: Received the Prix Diaspora for her role in recognizing Kosovo's independence.
- 2012: Awarded the Medal of Honor from Armenia.
- 2012: Given an honorary doctorate degree from the International University in Geneva.
- 2014: Received the Badge of the Order of Friendship. This was for helping to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Russia and Switzerland.
- 2017: Made an honorary citizen of the city of Viti, Kosovo.
See also
In Spanish: Micheline Calmy-Rey para niños
