Federal Council candidate Jositsch in interview: “I don’t know if I would be the best”

They continued this time as well. You announced your media conference even before the SP Switzerland had even publicly announced the criteria for a candidacy. Why this rush?
I’m not in a hurry. I simply said: as soon as the rules are known, I will announce my candidacy. What’s in it for me if I wait a little longer and pretend I haven’t made a decision yet? By the way: if you want an office, you don’t have to study for months.

Why do you think you are the right person for the position?
Of course I don’t know if I would be the best. After all, I don’t know who else is running for office. But I think I bring relatively broad professional and political experience. I can work very well with the other MPs, I know the federal councilors very well and I believe I can work with them too. Most importantly, I have the will to contribute to solving the major challenges facing our country. I have the motivation to take on this difficult, challenging and responsible position.

A downside is that you have no managerial experience. The only thing you can show in this regard is the chairmanship of the association KV. Is that enough?
Don’t underestimate the national federations! Look: you can’t always have everything. I’m a typical, classic militia politician. I never wanted to join the government because I have an interesting job at the University of Zurich. It is up to the people in my parliamentary group and in the Federal Assembly to decide what profile they want.

By going it alone, you alienated the party, the parliamentary group and especially the SP women last December. Do you really think you can calm things down by acknowledging that communication wasn’t optimal?
This is mainly a matter of sensitivities. I’m talking to everyone. Some can now put the criticism into perspective, others not so much. What is important is what considerations the group makes. It’s not about who you prefer to go on holiday with. But: who can defend the seat? And above all: who can effectively introduce social-democratic interests to the Bundesrat?

The decisive factor is whether you get the SP ticket. If not – and you’ll still get votes on December 13: will it be the same game as last time – or have you learned anything from it?
I still believe that it would have been presumptuous and exaggerated for the 58 votes to come forward on the first ballot and make a statement to the entire Confederacy. I think it’s right that I didn’t.

Would you also accept the election if you were elected as a candidate for explosives?
I have said quite clearly – and always have: I fully accept the decision of the parliamentary group as to who gets the ticket. Whether I feel like it or not.

What does your life partner say about your plans to join the Federal Council?
The enthusiasm is of course limited. What is important in a partnership is that you have the will to prioritize and create space to see each other. But of course the Bundesrat is a very time-consuming office, so we would certainly have less time for each other.