Published on 31 March 2025

Federal Councillor Martin Pfister

Federal CouncillorMartin Pfister

Personal details

  • Date of birth: 31 July 1963
  • Civil status: Married to Cacilda Giacometti Pfister. Father of three daughters and a son. Four grandchildren
  • Place of residence: Allenwinden (ZG)
  • Place of origin: Waldkirch (SG

Hobbies

  • Hiking, jogging, culture and reading

Political career

  • Since April 2025: Member of the Federal Council, Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS)
  • 2016 – 2025: Member of Zug Cantonal Council, Head of the Health Department. 2021/2022: President of Zug Cantonal Council. 2019/2020: Vice President of Zug Cantonal Council
  • 2012 – 2016: President CVP Canton Zug
  • 2009 – 2012: CVP parliamentary group leader
  • 2005 – 2012: President CVP Baar
  • 2003 – 2006: Member of Guardianship and Social Welfare Commission, Commune of Baar
  • 2007 – 2020: Dep. Chief of Staff, Communal Leadership Staff, Commune of Baar
  • 2006 – 2016: Member of Zug Cantonal Parliament

Professional career

  • 2010 – 2016: Pfister Frei Partner GmbH in Zug, managing partner for association management, supervision of consulting dossiers for non-profit organisations, including the following mandates: feu suisse, College for Naturopathy and Homeopathy (hfnh), Conference of the Colleges for Alternative Medicine (hfam)
  • 2008 – 2010: Büro Pfister in Baar, self-employed consultant in association management, management of consulting dossiers for non-profit organisations, management of book publications
  • 2002 – 2008: Employment as managing director of associations, including the following mandates: energie-agentur-elektrogeräte (eae), swiss automotive aftermarket (SAA), Küche Schweiz
  • 2003: Lecturer at Contemporary History Dept., University of Fribourg
  • 1997 – 2000: Academic at Contemporary History Dept., University of Fribourg (Prof. Urs Altermatt)
  • 1993 – 1996: Teaching assistant at Contemporary History Dept., University of Fribourg
  • 1984 – 1992: Teaching positions at various levels from primary school to baccalaureate school

Education

  • 2011: CAS ‘Weiterbildung für Politik’ at Executive School of Management, technology and Law, University of St Gallen
  • 1996: Visiting Scholar Stanford University, USA
  • 1996: Master’s in History and German, University of Fribourg
  • 1984: Teaching diploma from St Michael Teacher Training College

Military career

  • 2004 – 2012: Staff Territorial Regiment 3, Head of Disaster Relief
  • 1999 – 2003: Rescue Battalion 32, Commander
  • Rank: Colonel

Further information