Woman minister proposed

(First Edition)

BERNE (AP) - The Swiss Social Democratic Party proposed a new woman candidate for the country's all-male cabinet, five days after parliament rejected a female contender seen as too controversial.

Ruth Dreifuss, 53, a trade union official, was chosen by the Social Democratic group in parliament to stand for a ministerial post jointly with Christiane Brunner in a vote by the Federal Assembly last Wednesday. Ms Dreifuss, who has held no national political office, would be Switzerland's second female government minister.