Francis Matthey



Francis Matthey (born 17 July 1942 in Le Locle, Canton of Neuchâtel) is a Swiss politician of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SPS/PSS), best known for declining the election to the Swiss Federal Council on 3 March 1993. Matthey was elected instead of the official candidate of his party, Christiane Brunner. To follow the resolution of the party to enable the election of a woman to the Federal Council, he declined the office. Ruth Dreifuss was finally elected to succeed René Felber.

Matthey was mayor of the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds (1980–1988), member of the Swiss National Council (1987–1995) and member of the Conseil d'Etat of the canton of Neuchâtel (1988–2001).