Career
Mayor of Lausanne since 1957 and member of the Swiss National Council since 1958, he was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on December 5, 1973 and handed over office on December 31, 1983.
In 1955-58 he led the Canton library, while he was a lecturer in the history of diplomacy at the University of Lausanne.
For six years he was the Head of the Department of Finance and Customs, he pushed through a series of measures for the rehabilitation of federal finances. He took numerous measures for consolidation of public finances. He also supported the construction of the road tunnel at the Gr. St. Bernard.
In his presidential (1980) year, he took over the military department. There he planned to buy a new assault rifle and the battle tank “Leopard”.
He also oversaw the reorganization of the intelligence agencies, especially the reorganization of P-26 organization.
In 1990 this organization had been heavily criticized. The National Council had supported that in 1981 and the organization was later disbanded by the Federal Council.
He resigned his post at the end of 1983.
In 1992 he was against Switzerland's accession to the EEA.
Georges-André Chevallaz is the author of several historical works and political essays and he was the President of the newly formed "Historical Dictionary of Switzerland" Foundation (1988-92).
