Karin Keller-Sutter

Karin Keller-Sutter is a prominent Swiss politician serving as a member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2019. A member of FDP.The Liberals, she has led the Federal Department of Justice and Police and, since 2023, the Federal Department of Finance. She was elected Vice President of Switzerland for 2023 and is the designated President of the Swiss Confederation for 2024. Known for her pragmatic and centrist approach, she has held significant cantonal and federal offices, including in the Government of St. Gallen and the Council of States.

Early life and education

Born in Wil in the Canton of St. Gallen, she grew up in a politically engaged family. She completed her secondary education at the Kantonsschule am Burggraben in St. Gallen. She then studied Romance studies and English studies at the University of Fribourg, graduating with a teaching diploma. During her studies, she spent a year abroad at the University of Lausanne and later worked as a language teacher at the Kantonsschule Wattwil.

Political career

Her political career began at the municipal level in Wil, where she served on the town council. In 2000, she was elected to the Government of St. Gallen, becoming the first woman to hold an executive position in that canton, where she headed the Department of Justice and Police. During her tenure, she focused on penal system reform and victim support initiatives. In 2011, she was elected to the Council of States, representing the Canton of St. Gallen, where she served on committees for social security and legal affairs.

Federal Council (2019–present)

She was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 5 December 2018, succeeding Johann Schneider-Ammann. Initially assigned the Federal Department of Justice and Police, she managed dossiers including the framework agreement with the European Union and reforms to the Swiss nationality law. In December 2022, she was elected Vice President of Switzerland and reassigned to lead the Federal Department of Finance, succeeding Ueli Maurer. Her tenure at finance has involved managing the federal budget and overseeing institutions like the Swiss National Bank and the Federal Finance Administration.

Political positions

Ideologically aligned with the centrist wing of FDP.The Liberals, she is considered a pragmatic and economically liberal politician. She advocates for a strong Swiss economy, fiscal discipline, and close relations with the EU. In justice policy, she has supported balanced approaches to asylum policy and data protection laws. She has been a proponent of modernizing the Swiss army and has taken a firm stance on issues of national security and international cooperation.

Personal life

She is married to Andreas Sutter, a former National Councillor for the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland, and they have two children. The family resides in Wil. She is fluent in German, French, English, and Italian. Outside politics, she enjoys classical music and literature.

Category:Swiss Federal Councillors Category:Members of the Swiss Council of States Category:1963 births Category:Living people