Star on the rise: rarely has a Swiss politician gone through such a gruelling first few months in office as Federal Councillor and Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. And rarely has one risen from relative national obscurity--and then exile status--to immense popularity so quickly or so successfully. Swiss News caught up with a very frank Widmer-Schlumpf at a recent meeting in Zurich.

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POLITICS - Cover story

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Star on the rise: rarely has a Swiss politician gone through such a gruelling first few months in office as Federal Councillor and Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. And rarely has one risen from relative national obscurity--and then exile status--to immense popularity so quickly or so successfully. Swiss News caught up with a very frank Widmer-Schlumpf at a recent meeting in Zurich.

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Agreed, Widmer-Schlumpf hit the home run of political home runs.

In a Zurich University lecture hall, some 200 women from the Zurcher Frauenzentrale (Women's Association) have assembled. An atmosphere of solidarity flows throughout the crowd. The lecture they've gathered to hear will be the highlight of the meeting. They are waiting for Widmer-Schlumpf to tell them how she went from a local judge in Graubunden to the highest office in the country.

In her introductory remarks, Women's Association president Irene Meier recalls the outcast position Widmer-...

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