Robert Tobler (23 December 1901 – 17 June 1962) was a Swiss far-right politician.
Robert Tobler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Tobler 23 December 1901 |
| Died | 17 June 1962 (aged 60) |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Alma mater | University of Zurich |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Known for | Politician |
| Political party | National Front |
Born in Zürich, he followed his father by studying law at University of Zurich and working as a lawyer.[1] Initially attracted to liberalism, he came into contact with Hans Oehler and soon helped to found the New Front in 1930.[1] As chairman of the new group he was heavily influenced by Othmar Spann, although fascism quickly became more important for the Front.[1]
He served as Gaufuehrer for Zürich in the National Front and ran the party paper Die Front, which was funded by Nazi Germany.[1] Tobler was elected to the Swiss parliament in 1935, becoming the only member of the National Front (or indeed any pro-Nazi group) to hold a parliamentary seat in the country.[2] He took over as Front leader in 1938, leading to his predecessor Rolf Henne splitting the movement.[1] Tobler attempted to find a common ground with the government, although by this time it was too late as the movement already had a reputation as firmly pro-Nazi.[1] He was imprisoned in 1940 as a fifth columnist and the Front fell into decay.[1] After his release he led the Eidgenössische Sammlung and Schaffhausen Nationale Gemeinschaft, although both these groups were outlawed in 1943 as part of a wider ban on the National Front and its offshoots.[1] Tobler took no further role in politics and died in his home town.