[ad_1]
Former federal councilor René Felber dies
René Felber in 1987. Photo: trapezoidal
Former federal councilor René Felber has died at the age of 87. The Neuchâtel Social Democrat was elected to the state government in 1987 and headed the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) until 1993.
Florence Nater, president of SP Neuchâtel, confirmed the corresponding information from the Arcinfo online portal on Sunday evening. René Felber was committed to integration during his five years on the Federal Council.
René Felber was born on March 14, 1933 in Biel. Initially a professor by profession, he had a classical political career that began in 1960 in the local parliament of Le Locle NE.
From 1964 to 1980 he was mayor of Le Locle and from 1965 to 1976 a member of the Grand Council of Neuchâtel. From 1967 to 1981 he was a member of the National Council, during the last months he directed the parliamentary group of the SP.
As a member of the Federal Council
In 1981 he moved to the government of the Canton of Neuchâtel. From this position, the United Federal Assembly elected him on December 9, 1987 as successor to his compatriot from Neuchâtel, Pierre Aubert, to the Federal Council.
In 1992, Felber underwent surgery for a malignant bladder tumor. At the time he was a tired and exhausted man, he later said in hindsight. With his resignation from the state government in 1993, he had “saved his skin.”
As head of the FDFA, Felber put all his political weight on Switzerland’s European integration. Ruth Dreifuss took her place on the Federal Council in 1993.
Active after resignation
Even after his resignation, Felber remained active. From 1998 to 2000 he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining. From 1994 to 1996 he was president of the Inter-American Assembly.
In addition, the former Federal Council took over the “EineZukunft für Geneva” foundation, chaired the private “La Tène” foundation, which supports an archeology museum in Hauterive NE, and was a member of the board of directors of Swiss Air Rescue.
Felber enjoyed his extensive library: reading was one of his passions. Frequent walks, especially in the mountains, kept him in shape. The father of three children often worked in the garden near his home in Sauges on Lake Neuchâtel.
With his tact, his intelligence, his charm and his human warmth, Felber has become a sincere friend to his colleagues, Adolf Ogi praised him at his last meeting of the Federal Council.
In his last meeting with the media as Federal Councilor, Felber had maintained his own reluctance. He said he never wanted to push himself to the fore. What counts is work efficiency. (sda)
