Michael E. Dreher
Encyclopedia
Dr. Michael E. Dreher, also known as Mike Dreher, is a right-wing Swiss politician, and founder of the Freedom Party of Switzerland
(originally "Motorist Party"). He holds an MBA from University of St. Gallen
and was an MP from 1987–1999.
and Capitalism
. He calls for strict regulations on immigration, and prevalence of law and order. However, he does not back the death penalty. In his early days he joined the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
. In the 1970s he served as a secretary of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
in Panmunjom, Korea with the rank of a Swiss army captain; he travelled extensively in East Asia and Eastern Europe. In 1979 he was a candidate in national elections for the first time. In the 1980s he created a pressure group under the name "Buergeraktion" (People's Action) and aggressively supported candidates of Switzerland's centre-right majority parties. Dreher countered the rise of the Green Party of Switzerland
and particularly rebuked its claims about Forest dieback
which he denounced as "lie of the century". His verbal attacks on the "reds and greens" were often rude, and rocked the political establishment of Switzerland. He opposes Swiss EU and UNO membership, but supports membership of Switzerland in North American Free Trade Agreemet and European Free Trade Association
for the purpose of free trade. In 1985 he left the FDP and founded the Motorist Party. He was a national MP from 1987 to 1999, and joined the Swiss People's Party Swiss People's Party
which took up many of his ideas in 2001. He is publisher of the capitalist magazine "Tacho" that promotes the cause of taxpayers and motorists, and President of the Motorist Foundation ("Auto-Allianz").
, a ritzy Zürich
suburb. He is married, and has one son. He is a member of Scaphusia Schaffhausen http://www.dreher.ch and an admirer of late US President Ronald Reagan
and UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
. Almost naturally, Dreher has a flair for cars and a collection of old-timers.
Organization
Freedom Party of Switzerland
The Freedom Party of Switzerland is a minor populist right-wing political party in Switzerland. Its president and leading representative is Jürg Scherrer, formerly the head of the security department in the city government of Biel/Bienne until 2008.- History :The FPS was founded 1984 in Zürich by...
(originally "Motorist Party"). He holds an MBA from University of St. Gallen
University of St. Gallen
The University of St. Gallen is a public research university located in St. Gallen, Switzerland. It is specialized in the fields of business administration, economics, law, and international affairs. The University of St. Gallen is also known as HSG, which is an abbreviation of its former German...
and was an MP from 1987–1999.
Political life
Dreher champions individual freedom, tax breaks, individual mobility and adheres to the principles of EuroscepticismEuroscepticism
Euroscepticism is a general term used to describe criticism of the European Union , and opposition to the process of European integration, existing throughout the political spectrum. Traditionally, the main source of euroscepticism has been the notion that integration weakens the nation state...
and Capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
. He calls for strict regulations on immigration, and prevalence of law and order. However, he does not back the death penalty. In his early days he joined the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
. In the 1970s he served as a secretary of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission was established by the Korean Armistice Agreement signed July 27, 1953, ending the Korean War...
in Panmunjom, Korea with the rank of a Swiss army captain; he travelled extensively in East Asia and Eastern Europe. In 1979 he was a candidate in national elections for the first time. In the 1980s he created a pressure group under the name "Buergeraktion" (People's Action) and aggressively supported candidates of Switzerland's centre-right majority parties. Dreher countered the rise of the Green Party of Switzerland
Green Party of Switzerland
The Green Party of Switzerland is the fifth-largest party in the National Council of Switzerland, and the largest party that is not represented on the Federal Council.-History:...
and particularly rebuked its claims about Forest dieback
Forest dieback
Forest dieback is a condition in trees or woody plants in which peripheral parts are killed, either by parasites or due to conditions like acid rain and drought....
which he denounced as "lie of the century". His verbal attacks on the "reds and greens" were often rude, and rocked the political establishment of Switzerland. He opposes Swiss EU and UNO membership, but supports membership of Switzerland in North American Free Trade Agreemet and European Free Trade Association
European Free Trade Association
The European Free Trade Association or EFTA is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates parallel to, and is linked to, the European Union . EFTA was established on 3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable to, or chose not to,...
for the purpose of free trade. In 1985 he left the FDP and founded the Motorist Party. He was a national MP from 1987 to 1999, and joined the Swiss People's Party Swiss People's Party
Swiss People's Party
The Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
which took up many of his ideas in 2001. He is publisher of the capitalist magazine "Tacho" that promotes the cause of taxpayers and motorists, and President of the Motorist Foundation ("Auto-Allianz").
Personal
Dreher is a legal and economic consultant, based in ZollikonZollikon
Zollikon is a municipality in the district of Meilen in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.-Geography:Zollikon has an area of . Of this area, 21.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while 37.7% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 40.8% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
, a ritzy Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
suburb. He is married, and has one son. He is a member of Scaphusia Schaffhausen http://www.dreher.ch and an admirer of late US President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
. Almost naturally, Dreher has a flair for cars and a collection of old-timers.
Organization
- Freedom Party of SwitzerlandFreedom Party of SwitzerlandThe Freedom Party of Switzerland is a minor populist right-wing political party in Switzerland. Its president and leading representative is Jürg Scherrer, formerly the head of the security department in the city government of Biel/Bienne until 2008.- History :The FPS was founded 1984 in Zürich by...
- Swiss Peoples Party