Background
He was originally from Grenchen, the son of Mathaus Josef, the watchmaker and farmer. His mother’s name was Anna Maria nee Lutiger. She was a housewife.
Hermann was married to Lina Emch.
Member of the Swiss Federal Council
He was originally from Grenchen, the son of Mathaus Josef, the watchmaker and farmer. His mother’s name was Anna Maria nee Lutiger. She was a housewife.
Hermann was married to Lina Emch.
In 1901 he graduated from Teacher’s Training College in Solothurn with the primary teacher’s license.
In 1902 he taught in Welschenrohr. Then he worked as an office clerk at Solothurn’s local state department. In 1904 he worked as a secretarial clerk at Solothurn’s cantonal finance department. In 1907 he worked as the editor of “Solothurner Zeitung”. From 1909 to 1917 he was affiliated to the local Solothurn’s Free Democratic Party (FDP). He held office in the department of Finance and Military department. From 1917 to 1933 he held office at Solothurn’s Cantonal Council. From 1917 to 1928 he held office in the National Council.
In 1935 with support from Heinrich Walther of Catholic Conservative Party and from BGB’s Rudolf Minger he was elected in the Federal Council as Edmund Schulthess’ successor. As the Head of the Economics Department he supported the devaluation of the Swiss Franc. His proposed bill to the improvement of the National Defence and his fight against unemployment were in 1939 approved. His speech in Basel on 16th of March 1939 was regarded as the demand to rebel against Nazi Germany after the Anschluss of Austria. In 1940 Hermann Obrecht left the Federal Council citing health problems.