Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport
Viola Amherd studied law at the University of Fribourg. An independent lawyer and notary, she started her political career in 1992 in the executive of Brig-Glis. From 2000-2012 she was mayor of Brig-Glis. From 2005, she was in the National Council, where she took over the vice-presidency of the CVP federal parliamentary group from 2011. In December 2018, she was elected to the Federal Council. Viola Amherd also held various directorships and was active in clubs and associations.
Thursday, 09. September 2021, 18:30 – 20:00 h
Live from the Studio
In conversation with Dr Katja Gentinetta
For the past two and a half years, Member of the Swiss Federal Council Viola Amherd has led the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS. As Switzerland’s first female defense minister, she is committed, among other things, to more women in the armed forces and in security policy in general. In terms of security policy, however, she has to keep an eye on the whole world: the global role of the U.S., China’s ambitions, Russia’s conduct, the positioning of the EU, but also the growing threats in cyberspace as well as those arising from espionage, terrorism and extremism. – How can Switzerland arm itself against these dangers? Does it have the means and the knowledge to do so? With which partners can it cooperate? How important is the EU? Katja Gentinetta will discuss these questions with Member of the Swiss Federal Council Viola Amherd.