Willy Bretscher
 Willy Bretscher    (editor, deep state functionary) | |
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| Born | 1897 |
| Died | 1992 (Age 94) |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Alma mater | University of Zürich |
| Member of | Mont Pelerin Society |
Willy Bretscher was a Swiss newspaper writer and editor at the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, one of the world’s leading daily newspapers. He influenced the reorientation of Swiss foreign policy, from neutrality to unofficial anti-communist line after the Second World War.
Bretscher began his career as a secretary with smaller newspaper before he in 1917 he took a position with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, becoming in 1925 its Berlin correspondent. Bretscher voiced a strong dislike for Socialism, finding it too close to Communism, and in his position was able to witness firsthand the troubles of the Weimar Republic. He was made the Zeitung's editor-in-chief in 1933, holding the post until 1967. Bretscher aided in the early development of Liberal International; he died in 1992.
He was also a member of the education council of the canton of Zurich (1947-1955). Radical National Councilor (1951-1967), Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (1960-1967). Chairman of the PRD's Foreign Policy Commission (1946-1972) and of the Swiss Foreign Policy Association (1968-1971), Vice-President of the World Liberal Union (1948-1968).
As editor-in-chief of the NZZ, Bretscher denounced both National Socialism and Communism during the Cold War era, opposing them to the principles of liberalism. Under his leadership, the NZZ gained a worldwide reputation. As for the politician, he was mainly concerned with the foreign policy of Switzerland, the reorientation of which he influenced after the Second World War.[1]
