Toni Brunner | |
---|---|
Chairman of the Swiss People's Party | |
In office March 1, 2008 – April 23, 2016 |
|
Preceded by | Ueli Maurer |
Succeeded by | Albert Rösti |
Personal details | |
Born |
Anton Brunner 23 August 1974 Wattwil, St. Gallen |
Political party | Swiss People's Party |
Anton "Toni" Brunner (born 23 August 1974) is a Swiss farmer, national chairman of the Swiss People's Party and a member of the Swiss National Council.
Born in Wattwil (St. Gallen), Brunner was first elected to the federal parliament in 1995 at the age of 21, as the youngest member ever. In addition to working on his farm, he operated an internet radio station aimed at farmers, and chaired the St. Gallen section of his party.
On 1 March 2008, Brunner succeeded Ueli Maurer as chairman of the national party. Brunner is close to the party's figurehead, Christoph Blocher, who serves as one of several vice chairmen.
In January 2016, soon after the 2015 federal election, where the Swiss People's Party received record gains, Brunner announced that he would step down as the president of the SVP in April. He was succeeded by Albert Rösti on April 23, 2016.
Brunner is a member of a Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland.