Rudolf Heinrich Friedrich (; 4 July 1923 – 15 October 2013) was a Swiss attorney and politician. He served as a member of the

Federal Council (Switzerland) The Federal Council (german: Bundesrat; french: Conseil fédéral; it, Consiglio federale; rm, Cussegl federal) is the executive body of the federal government of the Swiss Confederation and serves as the collective head of state and governme ...

for the

Free Democratic Party Free Democratic Party is the name of several political parties around the world. It usually designates a party ideologically based on liberalism. Current parties with that name include: *Free Democratic Party (Germany), a liberal political party in ...

from 1982 to 1984, where he held the position as Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police. He resigned from this position due to health reasons. Previously, Friedrich served as a member of the National Council (Switzerland) from 1975 to 1982. His most prominent works included ''Lex Friedrich'', a Federal Restriction for the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreign Persons of 16 December 1984 and related to federal and cantonal legislations.

Early life and education

Friedrich was born on 4 July 1923 in Winterthur, Switzerland to Jean-Jacques and Ida Fanny (née Sulzer) Friedrich. His father was a

pediatrician Pediatrics ( also spelled ''paediatrics'' or ''pædiatrics'') is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, paediatrics covers many of their youth until the ...

. His mother hailed from the old, influential Sulzer industrial family. Friedrich completed his law studies at the University of Zurich with a licentiate degree. He then completed military training and became a member of the ''Officers Society'' in Winterthur. During World War II, he served in active duty in the Mountain Corps of the Swiss Armed Forces.

Career

In 1957, after collecting experience at various courts, notary public offices and private companies, Friedrich opened his own law firm in Winterthur. Early in his career he became involved with the

. Between 1962 and 1975, he served as city councilor of Winterthur. Between 1967 and 1977, he was a member of the Cantonal Council of Zurich.

Politics

He was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 8 December 1982 and, for health reason, resigned his office on 20 October 1984. He is affiliated to the

. During his office time he held the Federal Department of Justice and Police.

Personal life

Friedrich was never married and had no children.

References

External links

* * 1923 births 2013 deaths Members of the Federal Council (Switzerland) People from Winterthur {{Switzerland-politician-stub