Block, Siteadmin, SkipCaptcha, Upload, Automoderated users, Check users, delete, edit, move, oversight, protect, rollback, Administrators
51,035
edits
Changes
no edit summary
}}
}}
'''Christoph Blocher''' (born 11 October 1940) is a [[Switzerland|Swiss]] businessman and politician. He is best known for his prominent and influential role in the [[Swiss People's Party]] (SVP) and for his membership on the Swiss Federal Council.
'''Christoph Blocher''' (born 11 October 1940) is a [[Switzerland|Swiss]] businessman and politician. He is best known for his prominent and influential role in the [[Swiss People's Party]] (SVP) and for his membership on the Swiss Federal Council.
Blocher is arguably the most influential, notable, and important politician in modern Swiss history, as he transformed the SVP into a solid right-wing party and the largest and strongest party in Switzerland, and he thus shaped Swiss and European politics in so doing.<ref name="Firebrand"/><ref name="Annoy"/>
==Early life==
==Early life==
===Post councillorship===
===Post councillorship===
In 2008, Blocher became one of the five vice presidents of the SVP.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/people-s-party-elects-new-leader/6475352 People's Party elects new leader]. ''Swissinfo''. March 1, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2016.</ref> He did not run for re-election in 2016,<ref>[https://www.thelocal.ch/20160110/swiss-populist-firebrand-blocher-to-step-down Swiss populist firebrand Blocher to step down]. ''The Local''. January 10, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.</ref> but he would continue to hold a senior position in the party<ref>[http://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/schweiz/alt-bundesrat-christoph-blocher-bleibt-an-der-svp-parteispitze-130103759 Alt Bundesrat Christoph Blocher bleibt an der SVP-Parteispitze]. ''Aargauer Zeitung''. March 2, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.</ref> and remain involved in politics in order to fight against EU encroachment of Swiss sovereignty.<ref>Shields, Michael & Richard Balmforth (January 11, 2016). [http://www.reuters.com/article/us-swiss-blocher-idUSKCN0UP0WE20160111 Swiss right-wing icon Blocher says will stay on to annoy enemies]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 8, 2016.</ref>
In 2008, Blocher became one of the five vice presidents of the SVP.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/people-s-party-elects-new-leader/6475352 People's Party elects new leader]. ''Swissinfo''. March 1, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2016.</ref> He did not run for re-election in 2016,<ref>[https://www.thelocal.ch/20160110/swiss-populist-firebrand-blocher-to-step-down Swiss populist firebrand Blocher to step down]. ''The Local''. January 10, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.</ref> but he would continue to hold a senior position in the party<ref>[http://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/schweiz/alt-bundesrat-christoph-blocher-bleibt-an-der-svp-parteispitze-130103759 Alt Bundesrat Christoph Blocher bleibt an der SVP-Parteispitze]. ''Aargauer Zeitung''. March 2, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.</ref> and remain involved in politics in order to fight against EU encroachment of Swiss sovereignty.<ref name="Annoy">Shields, Michael & Richard Balmforth (January 11, 2016). [http://www.reuters.com/article/us-swiss-blocher-idUSKCN0UP0WE20160111 Swiss right-wing icon Blocher says will stay on to annoy enemies]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 8, 2016.</ref>
==Personal life==
==Personal life==