Nello Celio (12 February 1914 – 29 December 1995) was a Swiss politician from the Canton of Ticino. He was a member of the Free Democratic Party. He was a member of the Federal Council from 1966 to 1973 and served as the President of the Swiss Confederation in 1972.

Nello Celio
Nello Celio
President of the Swiss Confederation
In office
1 January 1972 – 31 December 1972
Preceded byRudolf Gnägi
Succeeded byRoger Bonvin
Member of the Federal Council
In office
1 January 1967 – 31 December 1972
Preceded byPaul Chaudet
Succeeded byGeorges-André Chevallaz
Member of the National Council
In office
2 December 1963 – 14 December 1966
Personal details
Born12 February 1914 (1914-02-12)
Quinto, Ticino, Switzerland
Died29 December 1995(1995-12-29) (aged 81)
Bern Switzerland
EducationUniversity of Basel
University of Bern
OccupationLawyer

Biography

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Celio was born in Quinto, Ticino, Switzerland in 1914. He studied law at the University of Basel and the University of Bern. In 1944, he was appointed as a public prosecutor in the Sopraceneri area of Ticino. He became active in politics as the president of the Ticino FDP and entered elective office in 1946 as a member of the Council of State of Ticino. He served in that body until 1959.[1]

In 1960, he became the party president of the FDP. He stood for the 1963 Swiss federal election for the National Council and was elected. After the Mirage Affair scandal, which resulted in the departure of Paul Chaudet from the Federal Council, Celio was elected to succeed him.[1][2] He initially headed up the Military Department, which was vacant after Chaudet's departure. No other Federal Councilor at the time was willing to take over the ministry.[3] In 1968, he took over the Department of Finance.[4]

In 1971, he was the Vice President of Switzerland and in 1972, he served a single term as President of the Swiss Confederation.[5] In 1973, he resigned from office.[1]

Celio died on 29 December 1995 from pneumonia at the age of 81.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Nello Celio". Historical Lexikon of Switzerland (in German). Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  2. ^ "Mirage-Affäre". Historical Lexikon of Switzerland. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  3. ^ "Swiss Defense Chief Named". New York Times. 1967-01-04.
  4. ^ "Frühere Departmentsvorsteher/Innen".
  5. ^ a b "Nello Celio, 81, Dies; Swiss Administrator". New York Times. 1996-01-07.
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Preceded by Member of the Swiss Federal Council
1966–1973
Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice President of Switzerland
1971
Succeeded by
President of Switzerland
1972