{{Short description|Swiss politician}} {{Expand French|Esther Alder|date=September 2015|topic=bio}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Esther Alder | image = Ester Alder (cropped).jpg | caption = Esther Alder in 2014. | office = Mayor of Geneva | term_start = 1 June 2015 | term_end = 31 May 2016 | predecessor = Sami Kanaan | successor = | birth_date = 1958 | birth_place = Solothurn, Switzerland | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | party = Green Party | spouse = | relations = | children = | alma_mater = | occupation = Politician | profession = | signature = | website = [http://estheralder.blog.tdg.ch estheralder.blog.tdg.ch] | footnotes = }} '''Esther Alder''' (born 1958 in Solothurn) is a Swiss politician. She has served on the City Council of Geneva from 2011 to 2020 and was the mayor of Geneva for the 2015–2016 term. She is a member of the Green Party.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ville-geneve.ch/conseil-administratif/membres-conseil-administratif/esther-alder/|title = Esther Alder|date = August 4, 2015|accessdate = September 5, 2015|website = Ville de Genève|publisher = |last = |first = |language = French}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.20min.ch/ro/news/geneve/story/Esther-Alder-2-0-debute-son-annee-de-mairie-18344043|title = Esther Alder 2.0 débute son année de mairie|date = June 2, 2015|accessdate = October 17, 2015|website = 20 Minuten|publisher = |last = Culet|first = Julien|language = French}}</ref>
==Biography== Having moved to Geneva at nine years old,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-05-31 |title=Esther Alder, Madame le mère de Genève - Le Temps |url=https://www.letemps.ch/archive-import-drupal/esther-alder-madame-mere-geneve |access-date=2026-02-21 |language=fr |issn=1423-3967}}</ref> Alder continued her education there, which she had started in the canton of Solothurn. She obtained a diploma in administration and development and a HES social worker diploma from the University of Geneva.
She worked as an after-school activities coordinator from 1977 to 1983. In 1986, she became a social worker at Le Caré, a solidarity center providing support to people facing financial and personal difficulties. The same year, she joined Carrefour-Rue, an association assisting homeless and disadvantaged people, as an educator.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=HEALTH LITERACY AND SOCIAL MOBILIZATION TO ACHIEVE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) |url=https://indico.un.org/event/19322/attachments/4588/12718/Speakers_Profile.pdf}}</ref>
In 1990, she became co-director of Carrefour-Rue and took over its leadership in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-12-29 |title=Carrefour-rue craint la perte de ses toits |url=https://lecourrier.ch/2010/12/29/carrefour-rue-craint-la-perte-de-ses-toits/ |access-date=2026-02-21 |website=Le Courrier |language=fr-FR}}</ref> She also worked as a social worker in the cantonal Department of Public Education. There, she created and managed the social service for reception and integration classes at the upper secondary level. In 2010, the Federal Office of Justice appointed her as an expert to the National Commission for the Prevention of Torture.<ref name=":0" />
She is the mother of two children.
==Political background== In 1995 Esther Alder was elected to the legislative municipal council of the city of Geneva. She left the assembly in 1997 after being elected deputy to the Grand Council of Geneva, a position she held for twelve years. She was elected to the administrative council of Geneva in 2011 where she headed the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity. Although she was supposed to become a mayor during the 2014–2015 legislative year, she chose to give up the position to her Socialist colleague Sami Kanaan. In Esther's opinion it made more sense for the head of the Department of Culture and Sports to serve as mayor during a year that was expected to be mainly cultural due to the celebrations marking the bicentennial of Geneva’s entry into the Swiss Confederation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-05-31 |title=Esther Alder: «Pourquoi je renonce à être maire en 2014» |url=https://www.tdg.ch/esther-alder-pourquoi-je-renonce-a-etre-maire-en-2014-872874051845 |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}}</ref>
Esther Alder ran again in the 2015 municipal elections.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-09-09 |title=Esther Alder décide de briguer un second mandat |url=https://www.20min.ch/fr/story/esther-alder-decide-de-briguer-un-second-mandat-201396661852 |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=20 minutes |language=fr}}</ref> She was re-elected to the Administrative Council along with the four other incumbents.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-10 |title=Ville de Genève: pas de changement à l'exécutif |url=https://www.24heures.ch/ville-de-geneve-pas-de-changement-a-l-executif-662597930023 |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=24 heures |language=fr}}</ref> She became Mayor of Geneva on 1 June 2015. In that capacity, she participated in the Summit of Local Elected Officials for Climate in Paris during COP21.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-03 |title=Que pèsent les grandes villes dans les enjeux climatiques ? |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/du-grain-a-moudre/que-pesent-les-grandes-villes-dans-les-enjeux-climatiques-9144610 |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=France Culture |language=fr}}</ref>
During her term, a controversy arose over reimbursement of taxi expenses claimed by members of the Geneva executive. Reports indicated that her taxi expenses were high and increasing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Nathalie Gerber |date=2018-11-12 |title=Taxis d'Esther Alder: malaise chez les Verts |url=https://lecourrier.ch/2018/11/12/taxis-desther-alder-malaise-chez-les-verts/ |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=Le Courrier |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-11-08 |title=Leurs dépenses publiées, les ministres genevois restent sous pression - Le Temps |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/geneve/leurs-depenses-publiees-ministres-genevois-restent-pression |access-date=2026-02-27 |language=fr |issn=1423-3967}}</ref> On 13 February 2019, she announced that she would not seek a third term in the executive. She denied any link between her decision and the expense controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-13 |title=Esther Alder explique pourquoi elle ne se représentera pas |url=https://www.tdg.ch/esther-alder-explique-pourquoi-elle-ne-se-representera-pas-240007502978 |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}}</ref>
=== Assessment of mandates on the Administrative Council === Esther Alder's record is considered positive by both the left and the right of the political spectrum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-27 |title=Esther Alder aussi ferme sur ses objectifs que souple sur la forme |url=https://www.tdg.ch/esther-alder-aussi-ferme-sur-ses-objectifs-que-souple-sur-la-forme-229358098347 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Musadak |first=Mohamed |date=2020-05-25 |title=Humble, Esther Alder a défendu les précaires |url=https://lecourrier.ch/2020/05/25/humble-esther-alder-a-defendu-les-precaires/ |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Le Courrier |language=fr-FR}}</ref> The press noted her openness to dialogue, determination, and constructive approach. It also notes her ability to follow through on her convictions.<ref name=":1" /> She was described as discreet, collegial, and effective.
Her policies in favor of homeless and disadvantaged people were particularly highlighted. In 2012, the winter shelter capacity for homeless people was doubled, and funding for the program was made permanent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-15 |title=Esther Alder répond à l'urgence sociale en ouvrant les abris de nuit |url=https://www.tdg.ch/esther-alder-repond-a-lurgence-sociale-en-ouvrant-les-abris-de-nuit-327498479059 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 October 2012 |title=Dix-huitième séance – Mercredi |url=https://www.geneve.ch/sites/default/files/filecm/CM/sessions/2012-10-09/memorial/memorial-seance-CM-geneve-170-18.pdf}}</ref> During her tenure, 1,000 childcare places were created over ten years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-13 |title=Esther Alder promet 1000 places de crèche |url=https://lecourrier.ch/2012/06/13/esther-alder-promet-1000-places-de-creche/ |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Le Courrier |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LA PETITE ENFANCE EN VILLE DE GENÈVE - CONTEXTE ET INDICATEURS EDITION 2015 - GENÈVE, VILLE SOCIALE ET SOLIDAIRE |url=https://fr.readkong.com/page/la-petite-enfance-en-ville-de-gen-ve-8824006 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=fr.readkong.com |language=fr}}</ref> Resources for after-school programs were increased.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=September 2012 |title=PROTÉGEZ L'AVENIR DE VOS ENFANTS ET PETITS-ENFANTS |url=https://www.geneve.ch/sites/default/files/fileadmin/public/Departement_0/Publications/vivre-a-geneve-magazine-47.pdf |journal=Vivre a Geneve-magazine |volume=47}}</ref> Information points for residents were expanded. Transitional housing units for vulnerable individuals were created.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 June 2012 |title=Cinquième séance – Lundi |url=https://www.geneve.ch/sites/default/files/filecm/CM/sessions/2012-06-25/memorial/memorial-seance-CM-geneve-170-05.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Le dispositif hivernal propose 377 places aux plus démunis |url=https://www.bluewin.ch/fr/infos/regional/le-dispositif-hivernal-propose-377-places-aux-plus-demunis-323894.html |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=blue News |language=fr}}</ref> A back-to-school allowance for low-income families was introduced in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-26 |title=Alder lance l'allocation rentrée des classes |url=https://www.20min.ch/fr/story/alder-lance-l-allocation-rentree-des-classes-304575131583 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=20 minutes |language=fr}}</ref> Neighborhood facilities were renovated, and policies for older residents were developed.<ref name=":1" />
=== Other initiatives === She launched an information campaign encouraging low-income pensioners to apply for municipal supplementary benefits to which they were entitled.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-22 |title=Esther Alder incite les aînés pauvres à réclamer leur dû |url=https://www.tdg.ch/esther-alder-incite-les-aines-pauvres-a-reclamer-leur-du-970024525799 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}}</ref>
In autumn 2016, she established four local social service offices across the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-01 |title=La politique sociale de proximité est remaniée |url=https://www.tdg.ch/la-politique-sociale-de-proximite-est-remaniee-173560443386 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}}</ref> Following the publication of social profiles of neighborhoods, residents and associations were consulted through social forums. These consultations led to action plans proposing short- and medium-term projects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portrait social de quartier {{!}} Ville de Genève - Site officiel |url=https://www.geneve.ch/autorites-administration/administration-municipale/departement-cohesion-sociale-solidarite/politique-sociale-proximite/portrait-social-quartier |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=www.geneve.ch |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Plan d'actions pour les quartiers {{!}} Ville de Genève - Site officiel |url=https://www.geneve.ch/autorites-administration/administration-municipale/departement-cohesion-sociale-solidarite/politique-sociale-proximite/plan-actions |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=www.geneve.ch |language=fr}}</ref>
She also created outdoor fitness installations known as Proxisport to promote physical activity through accessible public equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-06 |title=«Proxisport» séduit petits et grands |url=https://www.tdg.ch/proxisport-seduit-petits-et-grands-498850904641 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[http://estheralder.blog.tdg.ch/ Esther Alder's official blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806150215/http://estheralder.blog.tdg.ch/ |date=2015-08-06 }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alder, Esther}} Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:Women mayors of places in Switzerland Category:Mayors of Geneva Category:People from Solothurn Category:Swiss city councillors Category:Green Party of Switzerland politicians Category:21st-century Swiss women politicians Category:21st-century Swiss politicians