Published on 8 July 2025
Ruth Metzler-Arnold
Head of the FDJP from 1 May 1999 to 31 December 2003
Ruth Metzler-Arnold was born on 23 May 1964 and lived with her parents in Willisau, Lucerne. She graduated from the University of Fribourg with a degree in law (lic.iur.utr.). Ruth Metzler-Arnold is also a Swiss certified public accountant. She worked in this capacity for nine years at PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (formerly STG-Coopers & Lybrand AG) in St. Gallen.
Ruth Metzler-Arnold also pursued a career in politics: between 1992 and 1995, she served as a district judge in Appenzell and then as a cantonal judge in Appenzell Innerrhoden. From 1996 to 1999, she was a CVP member of the cantonal government of Appenzell Innerrhoden, responsible for the Department of Finance, and in 1999 she joined the board of the Conference of Finance Directors.
On 11 March 1999, she was elected to the Federal Council as a representative of the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP). From 1 May 1999 to 31 December 2003, Ruth Metzler-Arnold headed the Federal Department of Justice and Police. In 2003, she was Vice-President of the Federal Council.