Alexander Tschäppät — Swiss politician and mayor of Bern

Political career and offices

Tschäppät served as a member of the National Council, the lower house of the Swiss Federal Assembly, from 1991 to 2003 and again from 2011 until his death in 2018. In the National Council he participated in parliamentary debates and committees that shape federal legislation and oversight. He was a member of the Social Democratic Party, a major center-left party in Switzerland that emphasizes social welfare, public services, and progressive policies.

Mayor of Bern (Stadtpräsident)

In 2005 Tschäppät was elected Stadtpräsident (mayor) of Bern, a role he held until 2016. As Stadtpräsident he acted as the head of the city government and its executive council, representing Bern in official matters and helping to coordinate municipal services, urban planning and cultural programming. Bern, as the seat of many federal institutions and a regional center, places particular emphasis on balancing local needs with national visibility.

Key responsibilities and timeline

• 1991–2003: Member of the National Council (first period)
• 2005–2016: Stadtpräsident (mayor) of Bern
• 2011–2018: Member of the National Council (second period)

Legacy and death

Tschäppät was respected for his long public service in both legislative and executive roles and for contributing to the civic life of Bern. He died on 4 May 2018 at the age of 66; reports note that the cause of death was cancer. His career illustrates the movement of Swiss politicians between municipal leadership and national parliamentary duties.

For an introduction to the institutions he served, see the National Council and the Social Democratic Party links above for context on party affiliation and parliamentary functions.