Christoph Blocher
Christoph Wolfram Blocher (German pronunciation: [ˈkrɪstɔf ˈblɔxər]; born 11 October 1940) is a Swiss industrialist and politician who served as a Member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2004 to 2007. A member of the Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC), he headed the Federal Department of Justice and Police. As an industrialist, he became wealthy as CEO and majority shareholder in the EMS-Chemie corporation, now run by his daughter, Magdalena Martullo-Blocher.
Christoph Blocher | |
|---|---|
| Head of the Department of Justice and Police | |
| In office 1 January 2004 – 31 December 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Ruth Metzler |
| Succeeded by | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| Member of the Swiss Federal Council | |
| In office 1 January 2004 – 31 December 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Ruth Metzler |
| Succeeded by | Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf |
| Member of the Swiss National Council | |
| In office 5 December 2011 – 31 May 2014 | |
| Constituency | Canton of Zürich |
| In office 26 November 1979 – 10 December 2003 | |
| Constituency | Canton of Zürich |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christoph Wolfram Blocher 11 October 1940 Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, Switzerland |
| Political party | Swiss People's Party |
| Spouse |
Silvia Kaiser
(m. 1968) |
| Children | 4, including Magdalena and Markus |
| Residences |
|
| Alma mater | University of Zurich (Licentiate) University of Zurich (JD) |
| Occupation |
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| Signature | |
| Website | Official website Parliament website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Switzerland |
| Branch/service | Swiss Armed Forces |
| Rank | Colonel |
A controversial figure, Blocher is known for his role in transforming Swiss politics, shifting it to the right, as well as the Swiss People's Party, which has become "the dominant force in national politics". As he "developed a eurosceptic and anti-immigration agenda that has shaken up the cozy post-war consensual system prevailing in neutral Switzerland", Blocher served as the de facto leader of the SVP and a symbol of the party, holding its vice presidency from 2008 until 2018.