Biography Elisabeth Baume-Schneider

Elisabeth Baume-Schneider was born in 1963 and grew up in the village of Les Bois in the canton of Jura. After completing her business baccalaureate in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Neuchâtel), she studied economics and social sciences at the University of Neuchâtel, graduating with a licentiate in social sciences. She is married and has two adult children.

Until 2001, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider was active as a social worker in the social services and socio-medical services of her region and the canton of Jura. Her work focused on social assistance (tailored support and social welfare budgeting), child protection and integration measures. After serving as a Cantonal Councillor in Jura, she headed the School of Social Work and Health (HETSL) in Lausanne from 2016 to 2020. She also served as President of the Federal Film Commission from 2012 to 2016. As part of her public service work, she was involved in various associations and foundations dedicated to culture, social affairs, education, sustainable transport, and the environment. She stepped down from these roles after being elected to the Federal Council.

Elisabeth Baume-Schneider held various leadership roles within the Jura section of the Social Democratic Party (SP). She was a member of the cantonal parliament from 1995 to 2002 and served as its president in 2000. After being elected to the cantonal government in 2002, she served as Director of Education, Culture and Sport for thirteen years and was President of the Cantonal Government in 2006, 2008 and 2012. From 2019 to 2022, she represented the canton of Jura in the Council of States.

The United Federal Assembly elected Elisabeth Baume-Schneider to the Federal Council on 7 December 2022. In 2023, she headed the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP). She has been in charge of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) since 1 January 2024.