Question 241 of 350 · Women's rights
Who was the first woman on the Swiss Federal Council?
Wer war die erste Frau im Schweizer Bundesrat?
Correct answer: B
Why
On 2 October 1984, Parliament elected Elisabeth Kopp (FDP, Zurich) as the first woman to the Federal Council.
Common mistakes
- A: Ruth Dreifuss
- In 1993, Ruth Dreifuss was the second woman Federal Councillor, and in 1999 the first woman President of the Confederation.
- C: Ruth Metzler
- Ruth Metzler was only elected in 1999.
- D: Micheline Calmy-Rey
- Micheline Calmy-Rey was only elected in 2002.
Topic
Women's suffrage and equal rights
In Switzerland, women were not allowed to vote and elect for a long time. Because only men were allowed to vote, the men had to decide on it. In 1959 they still said no. On 7 February 1971 they said yes, with 66 percent. Since then, Swiss women have had the right to vote and elect at federal level. Many other countries in Europe had it decades earlier.
History of Switzerland · Women's rights
Sources
Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.