Hansjörg Walter

Hansjörg Walter (born 5 February 1951, in Frauenfeld) is a Swiss politician of the Swiss People's Party. He was a member of the Swiss National Council for the canton of Thurgau (1999–2017) and president of the Swiss Farmers' Union (2000–2012). Walter served as the President of the National Council (2011–2012).

Biography Walter graduated from the Agricultural School Strickhof and underwent advanced agricultural and commercial training. In 1983, he graduated as a master farmer (Meisterlandwirt) and took over the Greuthof farm near Wängi from his parents.

His career in politics began with the vice presidency of the Wängi elementary school in 1985. He served in the municipal government of Wängi from 1995 to 2002 and in the cantonal parliament of Thurgau from 1992 to 1999, at which time he was elected to the National Council.

In the 2008 Swiss Federal Council election, Walter came close to being elected Federal Councillor despite his prior declaration that he would not accept an election. Supported by the parties left of the center, he obtained one vote less than the eventual victor and official People's Party candidate Ueli Maurer.

Walter has served in the Swiss Army with the rank of major.