Erika Forster-Vannini
Encyclopedia
Erika Forster-Vannini is a Swiss politician of the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
. Her major office is variously translated as "Chair of the Swiss Senate", "President of the Swiss Council of States" or "Speaker of the Swiss Council of States", which is the upper house
of the Swiss government. This is one of the three highest offices in Swiss politics, all of which happened to be held by women in 2010. She was succeeded by Hansheiri Inderkum.
She holds many other offices, including President of the Foundation for the Protection of the Swiss Landscape, Member of the Board of the Association of Private Limited Companies, Member of the Board of the Minergie Association, President of the Foundation for Psychiatric Services for Young People in the Canton of St. Gallen
, President of the Supervisory Board of the Institute for Management and Human Resources Management at the University of St. Gallen
, and President of the Board of Directors of ERSIAN, Zürich. She is a citizen of St. Gallen
and Neunkirch
(Schaffhausen). Her husband is Ueli Forster and she has four children and four grandchildren.
Mrs Forster-Vannini's political career began in 1977 when she was elected to the St. Gallen City Council. She served as President of that body in 1982 and remained a member until 1988, when she became a member of the St. Gallen Cantonal Council. She served as President of the Cantonal Council in 1994-5, after which she was elected to the Council of States.
She has been outspoken about maternity health issues, passive smoking
and internet addiction.
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
. Her major office is variously translated as "Chair of the Swiss Senate", "President of the Swiss Council of States" or "Speaker of the Swiss Council of States", which is the upper house
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
of the Swiss government. This is one of the three highest offices in Swiss politics, all of which happened to be held by women in 2010. She was succeeded by Hansheiri Inderkum.
She holds many other offices, including President of the Foundation for the Protection of the Swiss Landscape, Member of the Board of the Association of Private Limited Companies, Member of the Board of the Minergie Association, President of the Foundation for Psychiatric Services for Young People in the Canton of St. Gallen
Canton of St. Gallen
The Canton of St. Gallen is a canton of Switzerland. St. Gallen is located in the north east of Switzerland. It covers an area of 2,026 km², and has a population of . , the population included 97,461 foreigners, or about 20.9% of the total population. The capital is St. Gallen. Spelling...
, President of the Supervisory Board of the Institute for Management and Human Resources Management at the University of St. Gallen
University of St. Gallen
The University of St. Gallen is a public research university located in St. Gallen, Switzerland. It is specialized in the fields of business administration, economics, law, and international affairs. The University of St. Gallen is also known as HSG, which is an abbreviation of its former German...
, and President of the Board of Directors of ERSIAN, Zürich. She is a citizen of St. Gallen
St. Gallen
St. Gallen is the capital of the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It evolved from the hermitage of Saint Gall, founded in the 7th century. Today, it is a large urban agglomeration and represents the center of eastern Switzerland. The town mainly relies on the service sector for its economic...
and Neunkirch
Neunkirch
Neunkirch is a municipality in the canton of Schaffhausen in Switzerland. It is set in the south of the mountains called Randen.-The name:The first documentary record of Neunkirch is in 850; the town is called Niuchilchun. It is Old High German and means new church. This name varies several times...
(Schaffhausen). Her husband is Ueli Forster and she has four children and four grandchildren.
Mrs Forster-Vannini's political career began in 1977 when she was elected to the St. Gallen City Council. She served as President of that body in 1982 and remained a member until 1988, when she became a member of the St. Gallen Cantonal Council. She served as President of the Cantonal Council in 1994-5, after which she was elected to the Council of States.
She has been outspoken about maternity health issues, passive smoking
Passive smoking
Passive smoking is the inhalation of smoke, called secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke , from tobacco products used by others. It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment, causing its inhalation by people within that environment. Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke causes...
and internet addiction.
External links
- Erika Forster-Vannini on the website of the Swiss Parliament
- Official website