Rudolf Heinrich Friedrich (; 4 July 1923 – 15 October 2013) was a Swiss attorney and politician. He served as a member of the

Federal Council (Switzerland) The Federal Council is the federal Cabinet (government), cabinet of the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. Its seven members also serve as the collective head of state and Head of government, government of Switzerland. Since World War II, the F ...

for the Free Democratic Party from 1982 to 1984, where he held the position as Head of the

Federal Department of Justice and Police The Federal Department of Justice and Police (, , , ) is one of the seven Ministry (government department), departments of the Switzerland, Swiss federal government, and is equivalent to a ministry of justice in other countries. As of 2024, it ...

. He resigned from this position for health reasons. Previously, Friedrich served as a member of the National Council from 1975 to 1982. His legislative accomplishments include ''Lex Friedrich'', a Federal Restriction for the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreign Persons of 16 December 1984 and related to federal and cantonal legislations.

Early life and education

Friedrich was born on 4 July 1923 in Winterthur, Switzerland to Jean-Jacques and Ida Fanny (née Sulzer) Friedrich. His father was a

paediatrician Pediatrics (American English) also spelled paediatrics (British English), is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, pediatrics covers many of their yout ...

. His mother hailed from the old, influential Sulzer industrial family. Friedrich completed his law studies at the

University of Zurich The University of Zurich (UZH, ) is a public university, public research university in Zurich, Switzerland. It is the largest university in Switzerland, with its 28,000 enrolled students. It was founded in 1833 from the existing colleges of the ...

with a

licentiate degree A licentiate (abbreviated Lic.) is an academic degree present in many countries, representing different educational levels. The Licentiate (Pontifical Degree) is a post graduate degree when issued by pontifical universities and other universitie ...

. He then completed military training and became a member of the ''Officers Society'' in Winterthur. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, he served in active duty in the Mountain Corps of the

Swiss Armed Forces The Swiss Armed Forces (; ; ; ; ) are the military and security force of Switzerland, consisting of land and air service branches. Under the country's militia system, regular soldiers constitute a small part of the military and the rest are ...

Career

In 1957, after collecting experience at various courts, notary public offices and private companies, Friedrich opened his own law firm in Winterthur. Early in his career, he became involved with the Free Democratic Party. Between 1962 and 1975, he served as city councilor of Winterthur. Between 1967 and 1977, he was a member of the Cantonal Council of Zurich.

Politics

He was elected to the

Swiss Federal Council The Federal Council is the federal cabinet of the Swiss Confederation. Its seven members also serve as the collective head of state and government of Switzerland. Since World War II, the Federal Council is by convention a permanent grand co ...

on 8 December 1982 and, for health reasons, resigned his office on 20 October 1984. He was affiliated with the Free Democratic Party. During his office time, he held the

Personal life

Friedrich was never married and had no children.

References

External links

* * 1923 births 2013 deaths Members of the Federal Council (Switzerland) Justice ministers of Switzerland People from Winterthur {{Switzerland-politician-stub