The first woman to lead the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport in Switzerland, Viola Amherd, oversaw a significant shift in national security policy following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Her tenure in the Swiss Federal Council spanned from 2019 to 2025, culminating in her service as President of the Swiss Confederation during the 2024 calendar year.
Early Career and Education
Born in Brig-Glis in 1962, Amherd graduated from the Latin Grammar School in Brig in 1982. She pursued jurisprudence at the University of Fribourg, earning a licenciate in both laws in 1987. By 1991, she had obtained both her lawyer's diploma and her notary's diploma for the canton of Valais. She operated as a self-employed lawyer and notary in her hometown while serving as a part-time judge for the Federal Personnel Appeals Commission between 1994 and 2006.
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Amherd entered local government in 1992 as a member of the Brig-Glis city council. She served as vice president of the municipality from 1996 to 2000, and subsequently as president from 2000 to 2012. Her parliamentary career began on 31 May 2005, when she joined the Swiss National Council representing the canton of Valais, a role she held until the end of 2018. During this period, she was affiliated with the Christian Democratic People's Party, which later merged into The Centre.
Federal Council Service
Elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 5 December 2018, she officially assumed her duties on 1 January 2019. Throughout her time in the Council, she remained focused on the Department of Defence. She consistently opposed Swiss membership in NATO while simultaneously advocating for the modernization of the Swiss Armed Forces. In December 2023, the federal Assembly elected her President of the Swiss Confederation for 2024. Following her presidential term, she announced in January 2025 her intention to resign from the Federal Council in March 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Brig-Glis
- Education: University of Fribourg
- Swiss National Council service: 2005-2018
- Swiss Federal Council service: 2019-2025
- President of the Swiss Confederation: 2024
- Professional background: Lawyer and Notary
- Languages: French, German, English
Questions readers ask
Did Viola Amherd support joining NATO?
No, she expressed opposition to the possibility of Swiss membership in the alliance.
What department did Amherd lead during her time on the Federal Council?
She was the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport.
Achievements
- Member of the Swiss National Council (2005–2018)
- Member of the Swiss Federal Council (2019–2025)
- Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (2019–2025)
- Vice president of the Swiss Confederation (2023–2023)
- Educated at University of Fribourg
