Ueli Maurer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ueli Maurer
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Official portrait in 2022
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| President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2019 – 31 December 2019 |
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| Vice President | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| Preceded by | Alain Berset |
| Succeeded by | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| In office 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013 |
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| Vice President | Didier Burkhalter |
| Preceded by | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| Succeeded by | Didier Burkhalter |
| Vice President of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018 |
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| President | Alain Berset |
| Preceded by | Alain Berset |
| Succeeded by | Simonetta Sommaruga |
| In office 1 January 2012 – 1 January 2012 |
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| President | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| Preceded by | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| Succeeded by | Didier Burkhalter |
| Head of the Department of Finance | |
| In office 1 January 2016 – 31 December 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| Succeeded by | Karin Keller-Sutter |
| Head of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports | |
| In office 1 January 2009 – 31 December 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel Schmid |
| Succeeded by | Guy Parmelin |
| Member of the Swiss Federal Council | |
| In office 1 January 2009 – 31 December 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel Schmid |
| Succeeded by | Albert Rösti |
| Member of the Swiss National Council | |
| In office 25 November 1991 – 31 December 2008 |
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| Parliamentary group | Swiss People's Party |
| Constituency | Zürich |
| Chairman of the Swiss People's Party | |
| In office 27 January 1996 – 1 March 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Hans Uhlmann |
| Succeeded by | Toni Brunner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 December 1950 Wetzikon, Zürich, Switzerland |
| Political party | Swiss People's Party |
| Spouse |
Anne-Claude Peter
(m. 1976) |
| Children | 6 |
| Residences | Hinwil, Zürich |
Ulrich "Ueli" Maurer (born 1 December 1950) is a Swiss politician. He was a very important member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2009 to 2022. This council is like the government of Switzerland.
Ueli Maurer was also the President of the Swiss Confederation twice, in 2013 and 2019. He was part of the Swiss People's Party. Before leading the country's finances, he was in charge of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ueli Maurer was born on December 1, 1950, in Wetzikon, Switzerland. His father was a farmer who did not own his land. Ueli grew up in the Zürcher Oberland area.
He learned to be an accountant through a special training program. He earned a federal certificate in accounting. Ueli Maurer was the only member of the Federal Council without a university degree for a long time.
Professional Background
Before becoming a full-time politician, Ueli Maurer worked in agriculture. From 1994 to 2008, he was the director of the Zürich Farmers' Association. He also led other farmer groups.
Ueli Maurer is married and has six children. He lives in Hinwil, in the canton of Zürich. He also served in the Swiss Army as a major, leading a bicycle infantry group.
Political Journey
Starting in Local Politics
Ueli Maurer started his political career in his hometown of Hinwil. He was a member of the local government from 1978 to 1986. In 1983, he was elected to the parliament of the canton of Zürich. He even led this parliament in 1991.
Leading a National Party
In 1996, Ueli Maurer became the leader of the Swiss People's Party. Under his leadership, the party grew a lot. It became the strongest political party in Switzerland. He worked very hard and helped the party become popular across the country.
He focused on issues like Switzerland staying independent and not joining the European Union. He was known for being direct and clear in his messages. Even though his political style was sometimes seen as strong, his colleagues in parliament respected him. They noted his honesty and how well he understood political issues.
In October 2007, after his party won a big election, Ueli Maurer stepped down as party president. He was replaced by Toni Brunner in March 2008.
Serving Switzerland: Federal Council
On December 10, 2008, Ueli Maurer was elected to the Swiss Federal Council. This is the highest executive body in Switzerland. He took office on January 1, 2009.
First Term and Presidency
Ueli Maurer became the Vice President of Switzerland for 2012. Then, on December 5, 2012, he was elected President of the Swiss Confederation for 2013. This role rotates among the Federal Council members each year.
Finance Minister and Second Presidency
Ueli Maurer was re-elected to the Federal Council in 2015. On December 11, 2015, he became the head of the Federal Department of Finance. This means he was in charge of Switzerland's money and economy. As finance minister, he attended the 2017 G20 Hamburg summit, which was a big meeting of world leaders.
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He became President of the Swiss Confederation for a second time in 2019. During this year, he visited China and signed an agreement related to the Belt and Road Initiative. He also met with President Donald Trump at the White House in the United States. They talked about important global issues and trade.
Ueli Maurer announced his resignation from the Federal Council on September 20, 2022. His term officially ended on December 31, 2022.
After His Time in Office
After leaving the Federal Council, Ueli Maurer joined the ethics committee of the International Olympic Committee on January 1, 2023. In February 2024, he shared his thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine rules, defending his actions while in office.
See also
In Spanish: Ueli Maurer para niños
