Jacqueline Fehr is a member of the House of Representatives for the centre-left Social Democrats. She trained as a teacher and later studied psychology and political science.
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Jacqueline Fehr, 47, launched her political career in 1990 on a local level in the town of Winterthur. In parliament she has specialised in health and family issues and is seen as a political bridge builder with Social Democratic convictions.
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Simonettta Sommaruga, 50, of the centre-left Social Democratic Party, is a senator. She entered politics 20 years ago, initally served as a local councillor and won popularity as head of a consumer organisation.
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Simonetta Sommaruga has a degree in humanities and trained as a concert pianist. Her supporters praise her capacity to forge compromises, but her opponents say she has betrayed party doctrine.
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Johann Schneider-Ammann, in parliament for 11 years, represents the business community as a member of the centre-right Radical Party.
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Johann Schneider-Ammann, 58, is the chairman of an engineering company and is well connected in the business world.
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Karin Keller-Sutter is a member of the St Gallen cantonal government for the centre-right Radical Party. She has been in charge of the police and justice department for the past ten years.
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Karin Keller-Sutter made a name for herself with measures to clamp down on football hooligans. Her opponents call her "the Iron Lady".
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Jean-François Rime, 60, is the official rightwing challenger. He owns a saw mill in western Switzerland and has been a member of the House of Representatives for seven years.
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Jean-François Rime flanked by the president and the head of the parliamentary group of his Swiss People's Party.
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Brigit Wyss, 50, a member of the House of Representatives for the Green Party since 2007 is challenging the seat of the Radicals.
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Brigit Wyss (left) pipped Geri Müller and Marlies Bänziger (right) in the race for the cabinet seat.
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Six candidates are standing for two vacant cabinet seats.
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Parliament will take its pick during the autumn session, on September 22. (All images Keystone)
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