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 | Monthey, Switzerland | 17 November 1968
Died | 10 May 2024 Valais, Switzerland | (aged 55)
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]
Simonazzi 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]
Simonazzi 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]
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