November 12, 2014 <Back to Index>
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Eduard Müller (b. November 12, 1848 in Nidau - d. November 9, 1919) was a Swiss politician, most famously known as the 51st, 59th, and 65th President of Switzerland, serving three one year terms in 1899, 1907 and 1913. He served as the Mayor of Berne from 1888 to 1895, and was an elected member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1895 to 1919. Prior to being elected president, Müller served as the Vice - president in 1898, 1906, 1912, and 1918. He died in office as a member of the federal council on November 9, 1919 at the age of 70. He was a member of the Free Democratic Party. The President of the Confederation is the presiding member of the Swiss Federal Council, Switzerland's seven member executive council. Elected by the Federal Assembly for one year, the President of the Confederation chairs the meetings of the Federal Council and undertakes special representational duties. The President has no powers above the other Councillors and continues to head the department. Traditionally the duty rotates among the members in order of seniority and the previous year's Vice President becomes President. As first among equals, the Federal Council member serving as President of the Confederation is not considered the Swiss head of State. Rather, the entire Federal Council is considered a collective Head of State. The Swiss constitutional provisions relating to the organization of the Federal Government and Federal Administration are set out in section 1 of Chapter 3 of the Swiss Federal Constitution at articles 174 to 179. Article 176 specifically relates to the Presidency. |