Viola Amherd

Viola Amherd is a Swiss lawyer and politician who has served as a member of the Federal Council since 2019. A member of The Centre party, she heads the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport and served as Vice President of Switzerland in 2023 before assuming the President of the Swiss Confederation in 2024. Amherd previously represented the Canton of Valais in the National Council and served as president of her party.

Early life and education

Viola Amherd was born on 7 June 1962 in Brig-Glis, located in the Canton of Valais. She completed her secondary education at the Kollegium Spiritus Sanctus in Brig before pursuing higher studies in law. Amherd earned her doctorate in law from the University of Fribourg in 1991, having written her dissertation on Swiss nationality law. Prior to her political career, she worked as a lawyer and public notary in her hometown, establishing her own practice.

Political career

Amherd's political engagement began at the municipal level in Brig-Glis, where she served on the local council. She was elected to the National Council in the 2011 federal election, taking office in December 2013. In the Federal Assembly, she served on the Security Policy Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee, focusing on issues of national security and international relations. She became president of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland in 2017, overseeing its merger into the new The Centre party, which she led until 2021.

Federal Council (2019–present)

On 5 December 2018, the Federal Assembly elected Amherd to the Federal Council as the successor to Doris Leuthard. She assumed office on 1 January 2019, taking over the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport from Guy Parmelin. Key initiatives during her tenure have included the modernization of the Swiss Armed Forces through the Armed Forces Reform program and overseeing civil protection during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. She was elected Vice President of Switzerland for 2023 and subsequently President of the Swiss Confederation for 2024, a role that is largely ceremonial but involves chairing the Federal Council and representing Switzerland internationally, such as at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Personal life

Amherd is unmarried and has no children. She is known to be a private individual who maintains strong roots in her home canton of Valais. Her interests include hiking in the Swiss Alps and reading historical literature. She is fluent in Swiss German, Standard German, French, and Italian, reflecting Switzerland's multilingual culture.

Honours and awards

In recognition of her service, Amherd has received several distinctions. She was awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold from the Government of Austria in 2023 for her contributions to bilateral relations. In 2024, she received the European Award for Political Culture from the Hans Ringier Foundation. Several institutions, including the University of Basel, have conferred honorary doctorates upon her for her leadership in public policy and security.

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:Presidents of the Swiss Confederation Category:Members of the Swiss Federal Council Category:Swiss lawyers Category:Politicians from Valais Category:The Centre (Switzerland) politicians