Markus Ritter (politician)
Swiss politician (born 1967)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Markus Vinzenz Ritter (German pronunciation: [ˈmaʁkʊs ˈʁɪtɐ]; born 19 April 1967) is a Swiss farmer, lobbyist and politician who currently serves on the National Council (Switzerland) for The Centre since 2011.[1] He concurrently serves as president of the Swiss Farmers' Union since 2012.[2] He is known as a lobbyist for agriculture-related issues.[3]
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19 April 1967
Markus Ritter | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Member of the National Council (Switzerland) | |
| Assumed office 5 December 2011 | |
| Constituency | Canton of St. Gallen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Markus Vinzenz Ritter 19 April 1967 Altstätten, St. Gallen |
| Party | The Centre |
| Spouse | Heidi Haltiner |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | Parliament website Official website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Switzerland |
| Rank | Gefreiter (Private E-2) |
On 28 January 2025, he was nominated by the Centre Party of St. Gallen as a candidate to succeed Viola Amherd on the Federal Council (Switzerland) as head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport.[4][5] He lost the election to Martin Pfister of Zug.[6]
Early life and education
Ritter was born 19 April 1967 in Altstätten, Switzerland, one of seven children, to Albert Ritter (1925–1983), a farmer originally from Hinterforst, and Helena Ritter (née Baumgartner; died 2024).[7][8]
He completed studies in engineering management (University of Applied Sciences) and a Master's degree in agriculture.
Political career
Ritter was a member of the city council (German: Stadtrat) of Altstätten from 1993 to 2012 as a member of the CVP.[9] In 2011, Ritter was elected into the National Council, representing the Canton of St. Gallen, and assumed office on 5 December of the same year.[4][10][11] Additionally, he was elected as the president of the Swiss Farmers' Union on 21 November 2012 as the successor of Hansjörg Walter.[4][12]
Personal life
Markus Ritter is married to Heidi Ritter. They have three children.[13]
Since 1989, Ritter has cultivated the family farm in Altstätten, and has also taken ownership of the farm of his in-laws, which he continuously expanded. The farm is medium-sized at 28,2 hectares (roughly 70 acres) and mainly produces organic dairy and field fruits. On 1 January 2023, he sold his farm to his sons.[14]
