Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf

Swiss government official

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July 17, 2026

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Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf is a Swiss politician who served on the Federal Council, Switzerland's executive branch. She was elected to the Federal Council in 2007, representing the Swiss People's Party (SVP). However, her election led to internal strife within the SVP, as she was seen as representing a more moderate wing of the party. In protest of Christoph Blocher not being reelected and Widmer-Schlumpf taking a seat, the SVP withdrew from the country's governing coalition. Widmer-Schlumpf and other moderates later broke away from the SVP to form the Conservative Democratic Party (BDP).1

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Swiss People’s Party
…and was replaced there by Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, from the party’s moderate wing. In protest, the party withdrew from the country’s governing coalition. By going into opposition, the party suspended Switzerland’s consensus style of government, which had been in effect since 1959. The withdrawal was only temporary, however: in 2008 a…
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…and was replaced there by Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, from the party’s moderate wing. In protest, the party withdrew from the country’s governing coalition. By going into opposition, the party suspended Switzerland’s consensus style of government, which had been in effect since 1959. The withdrawal was only temporary, however: in 2008 a…
Read More