Doris Leuthard is the incumbent President of Switzerland who took office on 1 January 2017 as the successor of Johann Schneider-Ammann. Previously, Leuthard was Vice President of Switzerland (2016 – 2017 and 2009), Head of the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (2010) and Head of the Department of Economic Affairs (2006 – 2010).
Early Life and Education
Doris Leuthard was born on 10 April 1963 in Merenschwand, Switzerland to father Ruth and mother Loenz Leuthard. Completing high school education in her birthplace, Leuthard went to the University of Zurich for undergraduate studies in law.
Personal Life
53-year-old Doris Leuthard is married to Roland Hausin since 1999.
Career
As a law graduate from the University of Zurich, Leuthard was primarily a law practitioner at a private law firm. In 2006, she officially joined the mainstream politics as a member of the Swiss Federal Council. The same year, Leuthard became the Head of the Department of Economic Affairs and held the office until 2010. Succeeding Joseph Deiss, Leuthard was a crucial political figure in solving the effects of 2008 Global Crisis. However, in 2009, she faced huge criticisms for not being able to take measures to prevent such a financial crisis. Once at a speech in Saignelegier, Leuthard was booed as a protest for Swiss milk market crisis.
Leaving the office of Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Leuthard joined the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications on 1 November 2010 as the successor of Moritz Leuenberger. She has been in the office ever since. Prior to ascending this position, Leuthard held the post of vice president of Switzerland under the presidency of Hans-Rudolf Merz from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009. Subsequently, on 1st January 2010, Leuthard succeeded Hans-Rudolf Merz as President of Switzerland until 31 December 2010.
While Leuthard held various short-term positions, she always led the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. Under this capacity, Leuthard has been able to inaugurate the world’s largest railway tunnel in Switzerland. Likewise, the already-developed infrastructural facilities are rapidly improving. Having been a renowned and reliable leader, Leuthard was once again appointed to become Vice-President of Switzerland on 1 January 2016. Unfortunately, the term couldn’t last more than a year.
On 1st January 2017, Doris Leuthard assumed the office of President of Switzerland as the successor of Johann Schneider-Ammann. As per the Swiss Media, Leuthard might be retiring as she finishes her one-year term as President.
Donald Trump and Doris Leuthard
The US President is elected for a term of four years, while the Swiss President is elected for a term of just one year. Hence, the relationship between Leuthard and Donald Trump might not hugely affect the relationship between the US and Switzerland. Anyway, so far, Leuthard has been positive and supportive about Trump presidency – unlike many other European leaders.
