Walter Thurnherr Bundeskanzler der Schweiz a.D. Thema: „Das Geräusch im Wasser. Was die sogenannte Zeitenwende für Länder wie die Schweiz bedeutet“

Walter Thurnherr

Curriculum vitae

Walter Thurnherr was born in Muri AG in 1963. He completed his schooling in Wohlen, Aarau (Alte Kantonsschule) and Zurich. In spring 1987, he graduated from ETH Zurich with a degree in theoretical physics. He then worked at the Mathematical Seminar of the ETH Zurich and at the Mathematical Seminar of the University of Bern.

In 1989 he joined the diplomatic service of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and was posted to the embassy in Moscow (1989/1990) during his training. From 1991 to 1995 he worked in the Foreign Policy Planning Staff of the FDFA in Bern (responsible for Russia and Eastern Europe).

From 1993 to 1997 he supported the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Georgia. He worked in Bern, Moscow and New York.

From 1995 to 1997 he represented Switzerland in the mediation of the OSCE in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

At the same time, from 1995 to spring 1997, he worked as a minister at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow.

From March 1997 to May 1999, he was a personal assistant to the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Flavio Cotti.

He was then Minister and Deputy Head of Political Affairs Division VI (Crisis Management, Consular Protection) at the FDFA in Bern.

In May 2000 he was appointed ambassador and head of this division by the Federal Council.

In June 2002, the Federal Council appointed him Secretary General of the FDFA.

In January 2003, he was appointed Secretary General of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA, now the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER) by the Federal Council.

In December 2010, the Federal Council appointed him Secretary General of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC).

In December 2015, he was elected Federal Chancellor of the Swiss Confederation by the United Federal Assembly with 230 votes in favour.

In December 2019, he was re-elected by the Federal Assembly with 219 votes.

In August 2023, Walter Thurnherr announced that he would not be standing for re-election in December.

Walter Thurnherr resigned from his office as Federal Chancellor at the end of December 2023.

In spring 2024, Walter Thurnherr was appointed Professor of Practice at ETH Zurich and Guest Professor at HSG St. Gallen.

Walter Thurnherr is father of two adult children. He speaks German, French, English and a fair amount of Italian and Russian. His hobbies are maths, reading and skiing.