Corine Mauch

Corine Mauch is a Swiss politician who has served as the Mayor of Zürich since 2009, the first woman and first openly LGBT person to hold the office. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland, she previously served on the Zürich City Council and the Cantonal Council of Zürich. Her tenure has focused on urban development, public transport, and fostering Zürich's role as a global center for finance and innovation.

Early life and education

Corine Mauch was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in the United States, and moved to Switzerland with her family as a child, growing up in Küsnacht in the Canton of Zürich. She completed her Matura at the Kantonsschule Rämibühl in Zürich before studying environmental engineering at ETH Zurich, where she earned her diploma. Her academic work at the prestigious Federal Institute of Technology laid the groundwork for her later focus on technical and environmental policy within urban governance.

Political career

Mauch began her political career in the late 1990s, serving on the legislative Cantonal Council of Zürich from 1997 to 2005 as a representative of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. She was elected to the executive Zürich City Council in 2005, heading the Department of Industrial Enterprises, which oversaw critical infrastructure like the city's power grid, Zürich Water Supply, and public utilities. In this role, she was instrumental in modernizing the city's waste management and advancing its energy policy towards sustainability.

Mayor of Zürich

Elected in March 2009 and taking office on 1 May, succeeding Elmar Ledergerber, Mauch's mayoralty has been marked by significant urban and transportation projects. She has championed the expansion of the Zürich S-Bahn network, the development of the Zürich West district, and initiatives to promote affordable housing. Her administration has navigated major constructions like the Durchmesserlinie rail link and fostered Zürich's international profile through events and partnerships, balancing growth with social welfare policies. She has been re-elected decisively in 2014, 2018, and 2022, reflecting broad support in Switzerland's largest city.

Personal life

Mauch is openly lesbian and lives with her partner, Ursula Häfliger, in Zürich. Her public identity as an LGBT figure in Swiss politics has been noted as a significant milestone in the country's social history. Outside politics, she has interests in classical music and literature and is a known supporter of the Zürich Opera House and various cultural institutions.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Mauch has received various honors, including being named a "Friend of the University of Zurich" for her support of academic collaboration. Her leadership in urban development has been recognized by international organizations focused on smart cities and public transit. In 2019, she was featured on the Forbes list of influential women in government for her stewardship of one of the world's most livable cities.

Category:1960 births Category:Mayors of Zürich Category:Social Democratic Party of Switzerland politicians Category:LGBT politicians from Switzerland Category:ETH Zurich alumni Category:American emigrants to Switzerland Category:Living people