André Simonazzi

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]

André Simonazzi
Vice-Chancellor of Switzerland
In office 1 April 2009 – 10 May 2024 Serving with Thomas Helbling (2009–2016), Jörg De Bernardi (2016–2019), Viktor Rossi (2019–2023)
Chancellor	Corina Casanova Walter Thurnherr Viktor Rossi
Preceded by	Oswald Sigg
Personal details
Born	(1968-11-17)17 November 1968 Monthey, Switzerland
Died	10 May 2024(2024-05-10) (aged 55) Valais, Switzerland

Life and career

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]

Personal life and death

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]

References

1. "Vice Chancellor André Simonazzi". Swiss Federal Chancellery. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
2. Imsand, Christiane (7 February 2009). "Helvetia Latina veut des actes". Le Nouvelliste (in French). Groupe Rhône Media. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
3. "Simonazzi André". Web Services of the Swiss Parliament (archived at Wikiwix Archive). Swiss Government. Retrieved 11 May 2024. Birt hDate:17.11.1968 00:00
4. FCh, Swiss Federal Chancellery. "Vice Chancellor André Simonazzi". www.bk.admin.ch. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
5. Felley, Eric (20 November 2008). "La nouvelle voix du Conseil fédéral". L'Hebdo (in French). Ringier. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
6. "UVEK - André Simonazzi" (in German). Swiss Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. 23 June 2004. Retrieved 10 November 2009.^{[permanent dead link]}
7. FCh, Swiss Federal Chancellery. "Vice Chancellor André Simonazzi". www.bk.admin.ch. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
8. "Rencontre avec un nomade qui pose ses valises à Berne". Le Temps. 8 March 2009.
9. "Bundesratssprecher Simonazzi verstirbt auf Wanderung". 11 May 2024.
10. "Bundesratssprecher und Vizekanzler – André Simonazzi ist tot". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
11. "Bundesbern trauert um Simonazzi". 11 May 2024.

Political offices
Preceded by Oswald Sigg	Vice-Chancellor of Switzerland 2009–2024	Succeeded by Ursula Eggenberger (ad interim)