Jean-Pascal Delamuraz

Jean-Pascal Delamuraz

Jean-Pascal Delamuraz (1 April 1936 in Vevey – 4 October 1998 in Lausanne) was a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council (1983–1998).

He obtained a degree in political science in 1960 from the University of Lausanne and became that same year deputy director of the Swiss National Exhibition (Expo 64). He was a member of the Lausanne City Parliament for ten years (1960–70). In 1970, he was elected to the Municipal Council in charge of Public works.

After the election of Georges-André Chevallaz to the Federal Council, Delamuraz was appointed Mayor of Lausanne, and from 1981 to 1983 was a member of the Government of the Canton of Vaud in charge of the Department of Agriculture, Industry and Trade. He belonged to the National Council from 1975 until 1983, and was for two years chairman of the control committee. He fought for Switzerland's membership of the European Economic Area and of the World Trade Organisation, and played a decisive role in shaping the new Swiss agricultural policy.

Delamuraz was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 7 December 1983 and handed over office on 30 March 1998. He was affiliated to the Free Democratic Party and served as secretary general of its Vaud (cantonal) section. He started the bilateral negotiations that led to the adoption of seven agreements with the European Union.

During his time in office he held the following departments:

• Federal Military Department (1984–1986)
• Federal Department of Economic Affairs (1987–1998)

He was also President of the Confederation twice, in 1989 and 1996.

Delamuraz was elected honorary president of the New Swiss European Movement (Nomes).

A statue of Delamuraz in Lausanne.

He died a few months after his resignation leaving a widow, Catherine Delamuraz, a son and a daughter.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jean-Pascal Delamuraz.

• Jean-Pascal Delamuraz in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
• Profile of Jean-Pascal Delamuraz with election results on the website of the Swiss Federal Council.
• Jean-Pascal Delamuraz in the German National Library catalogue

President of the Swiss Confederation (list)
1848–1874	Furrer Druey Munzinger Furrer Naeff Frey-Herosé Furrer Stämpfli Fornerod Furrer Stämpfli Frey-Herosé Knüsel Stämpfli Fornerod Dubs Schenk Knüsel Fornerod Dubs Welti Dubs Schenk Welti Cérésole Schenk
1875–1899	Scherer Welti Heer Schenk Hammer Welti Droz Bavier Ruchonnet Welti Schenk Deucher Droz Hertenstein Hammer Ruchonnet Welti Hauser Schenk Frey Zemp Lachenal Deucher Ruffy Müller
1900–1924	Hauser Brenner Zemp Deucher Comtesse Ruchet Forrer Müller Brenner Deucher Comtesse Ruchet Forrer Müller Hoffmann Motta Decoppet Schulthess Calonder Ador Motta Schulthess Haab Scheurer Chuard
1925–1949	Musy Häberlin Motta Schulthess Haab Musy Häberlin Motta Schulthess Pilet-Golaz Minger Meyer Motta Baumann Etter Pilet-Golaz Wetter Etter E. Celio Stampfli von Steiger Kobelt Etter E. Celio Nobs
1950–1974	Petitpierre Steiger Kobelt Etter Rubattel Petitpierre Feldmann Streuli Holenstein Chaudet Petitpierre Wahlen Chaudet Spühler von Moos Tschudi Schaffner Bonvin Spühler von Moos Tschudi Gnägi N. Celio Bonvin Brugger
1975–1999	Graber Gnägi Furgler Ritschard Hürlimann Chevallaz Furgler Honegger Aubert Schlumpf Furgler Egli Aubert Stich Delamuraz Koller Cotti Felber Ogi Stich Villiger Delamuraz Koller Cotti Dreifuss
2000–present	Ogi Leuenberger Villiger Couchepin Deiss Schmid Leuenberger Calmy-Rey Couchepin Merz Leuthard Calmy-Rey Widmer-Schlumpf Maurer Burkhalter Sommaruga Schneider-Ammann Leuthard (Elect)