Christoph Blocher

Bundesrat Christoph Blocher
Christoph Blocher

Christoph Blocher was born on Oct. 11, 1940 in Schaffhausen and grew up in the town of Laufen am Rheinfall. After studying agriculture, he attended university in Zurich, Montpellier and Paris and received a Masters in Law in 1969. In 1971 he received a doctorate degree. In 1969, Christoph Blocher joined the legal department of Ems-Chemie AG (formerly Emser Werke AG). After acquiring the majority of its shares, in 1984 he became president and representative to the board of Ems-Chemie Holding AG.

Christoph Blocher was already politically active while still a student. At the University of Zurich, he was one of the founders of the populist student group “Studentenring,” was head of the students' representive of the legal department and a member of the Greater Students’ Council. After completing his studies, he was a member of the municipal government of the community of Meilen, as well as a representative to the council of the Canton of Zurich. He was also president of the Swiss People’s Party of the Canton of Zurich and AUNS (Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland). From 1979 to 2003 he served as a member of the lower house of the Swiss parliament.

On Dec. 10, 2003, he was elected as a representative of the Swiss People’s Party in the Swiss Federal Councill. From January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2007, he has headed the Federal Department of Justice and Police.

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Last modification 15.12.2023

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