André Simonazzi (17 November 1968 – 10 May 2024) was a Swiss journalist born in Monthey. He held the office of Vice-Chancellor and spokesman for the Swiss Federal Council, from April 2009 until his death in 2024.[1][2]
André Simonazzi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vice-Chancellor of Switzerland | |
| In office 1 April 2009 – 10 May 2024 | |
| Chancellor | Corina Casanova Walter Thurnherr Viktor Rossi |
| Preceded by | Oswald Sigg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 November 1968 Monthey, Switzerland |
| Died | 10 May 2024 (aged 55) Valais, Switzerland |
Life and career
editSimonazzi was born on 17 November 1968.[3] He attended the Collège de l’Abbaye in St. Maurice, where he obtained a Latin and English baccalaureate in 1988.[4]
The eldest son of an economics teacher at the St. Maurice's Abbey, Simonazzi graduated at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. After beginning a career as a journalist at the regional newspaper Le Nouvelliste, Simonazzi first joined the relief organization Caritas Switzerland's media department, before becoming its national spokesperson in 1998.[5]
In 2004, he joined the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), initially as deputy head of the information service, then as head between 2004 and 2009.[6]
Simonazzi was appointed spokesman for the Swiss federal council on 12 November 2008, a position he took up on 1 April 2009 and retained until his death in 2024.[7]
Personal life and death
editSimonazzi was of Italian descent.[8] He was married. The marriage produced three children.[9]
Simonazzi collapsed and died while hiking in the Swiss mountains on 10 May 2024, aged 55.[10][11]
References
edit- ^ "Vice Chancellor André Simonazzi". Swiss Federal Chancellery. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
- ^ Imsand, Christiane (7 February 2009). "Helvetia Latina veut des actes". Le Nouvelliste (in French). Groupe Rhône Media. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
- ^ "Simonazzi André". Web Services of the Swiss Parliament (archived at Wikiwix Archive). Swiss Government. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
Birt hDate:17.11.1968 00:00
- ^ FCh, Swiss Federal Chancellery. "Vice Chancellor André Simonazzi". www.bk.admin.ch. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ Felley, Eric (20 November 2008). "La nouvelle voix du Conseil fédéral". L'Hebdo (in French). Ringier. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
- ^ "UVEK - André Simonazzi" (in German). Swiss Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. 23 June 2004. Retrieved 10 November 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ FCh, Swiss Federal Chancellery. "Vice Chancellor André Simonazzi". www.bk.admin.ch. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ "Rencontre avec un nomade qui pose ses valises à Berne". Le Temps. 8 March 2009.
- ^ "Bundesratssprecher Simonazzi verstirbt auf Wanderung". 11 May 2024.
- ^ "Bundesratssprecher und Vizekanzler – André Simonazzi ist tot". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Bundesbern trauert um Simonazzi". 11 May 2024.
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