Former Geneva National Councilor and State Councilor Christiane Brunner died Friday at the age of 78. The socialist notably orchestrated the first women's strike in 1991.
Socialist trade unionist and politician Christiane Brunner has died at the age of 78. A figure in the feminist movement, the Genevan woman orchestrated the first women's strike in 1991. Her failure to be elected to the Federal Council in 1993 is a landmark event.
Christiane Brunner died on Friday morning, her son told Keystone-ATS, confirming a report from RTS.
Born on March 23, 1947, in Geneva into a modest family, Christiane Brunner was destined by her mother to become a cashier at Migros. However, she embarked on law studies and obtained a bar exam.
An activist, she was one of the founders of the Women's Liberation Movement in Switzerland in 1969. In 1976, she joined the Socialist Party. She served as a member of the Geneva Grand Council for nine years before being elected to the People's Chamber in 1991.
Fuchsia tide
She gained national notoriety by successfully bringing 500,000 women onto the streets of Switzerland on June 14, 1991. A fuchsia tide invaded the Federal Square, demanding gender equality ten years after it was enshrined in the Constitution.
Christiane Brunner's commitment to women's rights was compounded by a trade union career. In a world that was then predominantly male, she was the first woman to chair the Swiss Federation of Metal and Watch Workers (FTMH) in 1992, following the SSP (1982-89).
She also served as co-president of the Swiss Trade Union Federation with Vasco Pedrina from 1994 to 1998.
The storm of 1993
Politically, Christiane Brunner's candidacy for the Federal Council in 1993 was the most memorable event of her career. The Socialist group's sole candidate, however, lost to Francis Matthey on March 3. The Neuchâtel native, who died last March, was supported by the bourgeois parties who wanted to block the restless Socialist party's path in the race to succeed René Felber.
The event triggered a storm with lasting repercussions. Following the outpouring of hundreds of angry women on Bundesplatz and the election of Ruth Dreifuss a week later, the "Brunner effect" led to a significant increase in female representation in various cantons.
This non-election "moved more things than she could have done as a federal councillor," Christiane Brunner has repeatedly said.
Throughout her career, and particularly during her candidacy, the Genevan woman faced violent sexist attacks. Anonymous rumors accused her of debauchery, among other things.
Under the Dome
Under the Dome, Christiane Brunner remained in the National Council for four years, then served on the Council of States from 1995 to 2007. Her favorite topics included legal issues, labor law, social security, and the status of women and foreigners. Maternity insurance was also one of her key issues.
At the turn of the millennium, the politician left the union scene and became president of a Socialist Party (PS), which was then weakened by an internal crisis. Under her leadership, from 2000 to 2004, the party returned to its peak, garnering over 23% of the vote in 2003.
"Don't give up"
Since 2007, the leading figure of Swiss feminism has kept a low profile in political life. On June 14, 2021, interviewed 30 years after the first women's strike, the politician proposed launching a popular initiative to finally achieve equal pay, urging her fellow women "not to give up."
Christiane Brunner was the head of a blended family with five adult sons. Her husband, trade unionist Jean Quéloz, died in 2021.
In a statement, the Socialist Party (PS) extends its deepest sympathy to her loved ones and family. "Thanks to her unwavering commitment and unwavering convictions, Christiane Brunner has left her mark on the history of the party, but also on modern Switzerland, trade unionism, and feminism," it noted.
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In a message on X, Federal Councilor Beat Jans called Christiane Brunner a great fighter for equality and social justice. "My meetings with her impressed and left a lasting impression on me," added the Minister of Justice, who said he continues to uphold her convictions in his work.
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