Viola Amherd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Viola Amherd
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Official portrait, 2024
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| President of Switzerland | |
| 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 Federal Council | |
| 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 | |
| In office 1 January 2019 – 31 March 2025 |
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| Department | Defence, Civil Protection and Sport |
| Preceded by | Doris Leuthard |
| Succeeded by | Martin Pfister |
| 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 a well-known Swiss politician. She served as a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2019 until March 2025. In 2024, she held the important role of President of Switzerland. She was also in charge of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. Before 2021, she was part of the Christian Democratic People's Party. This party later joined with another to form The Centre in 2021, which she then joined.
Contents
About Viola Amherd
Early Political Steps
Viola Amherd started her political journey 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 served as the president of the municipality from 2000 to 2012.
Serving in the National Council
From May 2005 to December 2018, Amherd represented the canton of Valais in the Swiss National Council. This is one of the two houses of the Swiss parliament. She worked there for many years, helping to make laws for the country.
Joining the Federal Council
In 2018, Viola Amherd decided to run for a seat on the Federal Council. This council is like the government's cabinet in Switzerland. On 5 December 2018, she was elected to the Federal Council. She became the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport starting 1 January 2019. This was a historic moment, as she was the first woman to lead this important department.
Key Decisions and Roles
As a Federal Councillor, Amherd made important decisions. After the 2022 events in Ukraine, she urged the International Olympic Committee to suspend officials from Russia and Belarus. She also supported making the Swiss Armed Forces stronger. However, she was against Switzerland joining NATO, a military alliance.
In December 2022, Amherd was elected Vice-President of the Federal Council for 2023. Then, in December 2023, she was elected President of Switzerland for 2024. She started her role as president on 1 January 2024. As president, she gave a traditional New Year's address to the country. Her term as president ended on 31 December 2024. In January 2025, Amherd announced that she would step down from the Federal Council in March 2025.
Education and Personal Life
Viola Amherd finished high school in Brig in 1982. She then studied law at the University of Fribourg from 1982 to 1987. She became a lawyer and a notary. A notary is someone who can legally witness signatures and documents. She worked as a lawyer and notary in Brig-Glis. She also served as a part-time judge for a federal appeals commission. Viola Amherd is single and lives in Brig-Glis.
See also
In Spanish: Viola Amherd para niños
