Discussion about Berset’s successor at the SP: And what about a men’s quota?

With Federal Councilor Alain Berset (51) a man is now stepping down. So shouldn’t the party now push for an all-male ticket to preserve gender equality in the left-wing governing duo? No, thinks Tamara Funiciello, president of the SP Women. She says, “Since 1848, only ten women have served on the Federal Council. There were probably more Uelis than women in the executive branch. » Historically, men have been over-represented in the highest offices. She thinks you’re comparing apples to oranges. “A ticket for women only does not discriminate against men, on the contrary!” said National Councilor Funiciello.

No political hara-kiri

The SP tip did not express itself on the branches on Wednesday. Whether and which criteria there are will be decided by the parliamentary party in the autumn, according to co-boss Mattea Meyer (35).

As for Sommaruga’s successor, the Presidium had explicitly insisted on female candidates. Also with the caveat that the SP women have to catch up with the men in the state government. So far, the SP has eleven federal councilors, but only four female federal councilors.

Although German-Swiss men take center stage, the field must remain open for women. So far, no one has pushed for a male-only ticket. Certainly not the men who flirt with a candidacy. In the SP, such a demand would amount to political hara-kiri, meaning that a candidacy could be written off.

Jositsch does not want specifications

As a potential candidate, alderman Daniel Jositsch (58) tells Blick: “I think everyone should be able to register with the group.” According to the Zurich native, there are no requirements. “The group should put the most suitable on the card – regardless of gender.”

A position he already represented with the Sommaruga successor. For Jositsch, a pure men’s or women’s ticket is just as possible as a mixed selection.

“Repeating a mistake would be consistent, but not particularly smart,” says State Councilor Roberto Zanetti (68, SO). He thinks a purely male ticket is the wrong approach. “Such an absolute claim to power would not be a good idea.” Zanetti had already argued for a broader framework for the Sommaruga elections and proposed a compromise for a triple ticket “with at least two women” – but without success.

It is clear to him that the matter must be approached “quite relaxed” this time. There should be no specifications – neither by gender nor by language area. “In view of President Sergio Mattarella in Italy and Joe Biden in the US, I also advocate a flexible age limit,” Zanetti adds with a wink. “Only the party book has to be right!”

Or as Berset said, “It must be a person.”