Markus Ritter (politician)

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]

Markus Ritter
Official portrait, 2023
Member of the National Council (Switzerland)
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 December 2011
Constituency	Canton of St. Gallen
Personal details
Born	Markus Vinzenz Ritter (1967-04-19) 19 April 1967 (age 58) Altstätten, St. Gallen
Political 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]