Viola Amherd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Viola Amherd
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Official portrait, 2024
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| President of the Swiss Confederation | |
| In office 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024 |
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| Vice President | Karin Keller-Sutter |
| Preceded by | Alain Berset |
| Succeeded by | Karin Keller-Sutter |
| Vice President of the Swiss Confederation | |
| In office 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023 |
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| President | Alain Berset |
| Preceded by | Alain Berset |
| Succeeded by | Karin Keller-Sutter |
| Swiss Federal Councillor | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2019 |
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| Department | Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (2019–) |
| Preceded by | Doris Leuthard |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Viola Patricia Amherd
7 June 1962 Brig-Glis, Valais, Switzerland |
| Political party | The Centre (since 2021) |
| Other political affiliations |
Christian Democratic People's (until 2021) |
| Alma mater | University of Fribourg |
| Occupation |
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Viola Patricia Amherd (born 7 June 1962) is an important Swiss politician. She has been a member of the Swiss government since 2019. In 2024, she served as the President of the Swiss Confederation, which is a special role that changes each year. She is in charge of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, which looks after Switzerland's safety and sports. Before 2021, she was part of the Christian Democratic People's Party. This party then joined with another to form The Centre party, which she is now a member of.
Contents
Viola Amherd's Political Journey
Early Steps in Local Government
Viola Amherd started her political career in her hometown of Brig-Glis. From 1992 to 1996, she was a member of the city council. She then became the vice president of Brig-Glis from 1996 to 2000. After that, she was elected president of the municipality, serving from 2000 to 2012.
Serving in the National Council
From 2005 to 2018, Viola Amherd represented her home region of Valais in the Swiss National Council. This is one of the two parts of the Swiss parliament.
Joining the Swiss Federal Council
In 2018, Viola Amherd decided to run for a seat on the Federal Council. This is Switzerland's main governing body, like a cabinet. On 5 December 2018, she was elected to the Federal Council. She became one of the seven people who lead the country.
On 10 December 2018, it was announced that she would lead the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). This was a big moment because she became the first woman ever to hold this important position.
Views on Defence and Neutrality
Viola Amherd believes in having strong Swiss Armed Forces. She has also spoken about Switzerland's traditional neutrality. She does not support Switzerland joining NATO, a military alliance.
Becoming President of Switzerland
In 2022, Viola Amherd was chosen to be the Vice-President of the Federal Council for 2023. Then, on 13 December 2023, the Swiss parliament elected her as the President of the Swiss Confederation for 2024. She started this role on 1 January 2024. As president, she gave a traditional New Year's speech to the country. Her term as president finished on 31 December 2024.
In January 2025, Viola Amherd announced that she would step down from the Federal Council in March 2025.
About Viola Amherd's Life
Education and Career
Viola Amherd finished high school in Brig in 1982. She then studied law at the University of Fribourg from 1982 to 1987. She earned a degree in law in 1987.
After her studies, she trained to become a lawyer and a notary in Brig-Glis. She received her notary's diploma in 1990 and her lawyer's diploma in 1991. Since 1991, she has worked as a lawyer and notary with her own office. She also worked part-time as a judge for a federal commission from 1994 to 2006.
Personal Life
Viola Amherd is single and lives in her hometown of Brig-Glis.
See also
In Spanish: Viola Amherd para niños
