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'''Christoph Blocher''' (born 11 October 1940) is a [[conservative]] [[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 [[conservative]] [[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"/> According to conservative American political and media figure [[Steve Bannon]], Blocher was "[[Donald Trump|Trump]] before Trump" because of his advocacy against the EU.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (March 7, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/07/steve-bannon-ignites-swiss-with-speech-on-international-populist-nationalism/ Steve Bannon Ignites Swiss with Speech on International Populist-Nationalism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Capodici | first1=Vincenzo | title=Blocher war Trump Vor Trump | url=https://www.derbund.ch/zuerich/Blocher-war-Trump-vor-Trump/story/17767792 | date=7 March 2018 | publisher=''Der Bund'' | accessdate=7 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Weingartner | first1=Dominik | title=Stephen Bannon Findet in Zürich Lobende Worte für Christoph Blocher | url=http://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/nachrichten/international/stephen-bannon-lobt-in-zuerich-die-schweiz-und-ex-chef-donald-trump;art9640,1212400 | date=6 March 2018 | publisher=''Luzerner Zeitung'' | accessdate=6 March 2018}}</ref>

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"/> According to conservative American political and media figure [[Steve Bannon]], Blocher was "[[Donald Trump|Trump]] before Trump" because of his advocacy against the EU.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (March 7, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/07/steve-bannon-ignites-swiss-with-speech-on-international-populist-nationalism/ Steve Bannon Ignites Swiss with Speech on International Populist-Nationalism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Capodici | first1=Vincenzo | title=Blocher war Trump Vor Trump | url=https://www.derbund.ch/zuerich/Blocher-war-Trump-vor-Trump/story/17767792 | date=7 March 2018 | publisher=''Der Bund'' | accessdate=7 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Weingartner | first1=Dominik | title=Stephen Bannon Findet in Zürich Lobende Worte für Christoph Blocher | url=http://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/nachrichten/international/stephen-bannon-lobt-in-zuerich-die-schweiz-und-ex-chef-donald-trump;art9640,1212400 | date=6 March 2018 | publisher=''Luzerner Zeitung'' | accessdate=6 March 2018}}</ref>

==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 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>

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). [https://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>

Blocher was influential in the success of the successful 2014 immigration referendum that will end the free movement of people with the EU hand help restore Swiss independence.<ref>Freeman, Colin (February 15, 2014). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/switzerland/10640800/Christoph-Blocher-the-Swiss-billionaire-behind-the-referendum-Q-and-A.html Christoph Blocher, the Swiss billionaire behind the referendum: Q & A]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved October 9, 2016.</ref>

Blocher was influential in the success of the successful 2014 immigration referendum that will end the free movement of people with the EU hand help restore Swiss independence.<ref>Freeman, Colin (February 15, 2014). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/switzerland/10640800/Christoph-Blocher-the-Swiss-billionaire-behind-the-referendum-Q-and-A.html Christoph Blocher, the Swiss billionaire behind the referendum: Q & A]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved October 9, 2016.</ref>

==Views on American politics==

==Views on American politics==

Blocher believes that [[Ronald Reagan]] "was the best president I have seen", and he believes that businessman [[Donald Trump]] would mirror Reagan in being an underestimated, but mature and great president.<ref>Revill, John (April 12, 2016). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/swiss-peoples-partys-christoph-blocher-takes-swipe-at-snbs-franc-policy-1460453987 Swiss People’s Party’s Christoph Blocher Takes Swipe at SNB’s Franc Policy]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 9, 2016.</ref>

Blocher believes that [[Ronald Reagan]] "was the best president I have seen", and he believes that businessman [[Donald Trump]] would mirror Reagan in being an underestimated, but mature and great president.<ref>Revill, John (April 12, 2016). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/swiss-peoples-partys-christoph-blocher-takes-swipe-at-snbs-franc-policy-1460453987 Swiss People’s Party’s Christoph Blocher Takes Swipe at SNB’s Franc Policy]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 9, 2016.</ref>

==Personal life==

==Personal life==