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Brunner on March 3, 1993 together with Francis Matthey. (archive picture)
Keystone
The trade unionist and former SP President Christiane Brunner has died at the age of 78. The Geneva native shaped the women's movement in Switzerland. In particular, her non-election to the Federal Council in 1993 went down in history.
Brunner passed away on Friday morning, the son of the former member of the National Council and Council of States confirmed to the Keystone-SDA news agency. The death was first reported by RTS radio and television in French-speaking Switzerland.
Brunner was a member of the Geneva Grand Council from 1981 to 1990, before becoming a member of the National Council from 1991 to 1995 and a member of the Council of States from 1995 to 2007. She was also President of the SP Switzerland from 2000 to 2004.
In 1993, the law graduate and then President of the SMUV trade union was the official Social Democratic candidate to succeed René Felber in the Federal Council.
Instead of Brunner, the United Federal Assembly initially elected the Neuchâtel National and State Councillor Francis Matthey. However, he declined the election due to pressure from his party. Brunner's non-election led to protests, particularly from women. In the end, Ruth Dreifuss became a member of the national government.
Since leaving the Council of States in 2007, Brunner had withdrawn from political life.
18.04.2025, 10:27
18.04.2025, 10:54
