Hardly contested National and Council of States in Zurich: can Rimoldi take the 36th seat?

An alliance of convenience that could pay off. If the list partners receive the same number of votes as in the cantonal council elections this spring, they are virtually assured of a seat. It is quite possible that it concerns critic of the measures and ex-FDP member Nicolas Rimoldi (28), the best-known face in the outsider alliance.

The Greens threatened deselection

It will also be interesting to see who takes the vacant seat of SVP National Councilor and “Weltwoche” editor-in-chief Roger Köppel (58). After eight years, he has had enough of the National Council office, even though he won more votes in 2019 than any other politician in the canton.

It is realistic that the party can maintain its number of seats or even increase it slightly. SVP faction leader Martin Hübscher (54), party chairman Domenik Ledergerber (35) and canton councilor Nina Fehrüssel (42) will probably get the most chances.

Doris Fiala (66) of the FDP and Angelo Barrile (47) of the SP are also resigning. Juso president Nicola Siegrist (26) hopes to make the leap into national politics. Meanwhile, the Greens must be trembling. You risk losing your seat. It could happen to Meret Schneider (31) or Katharina Prelicz-Huber (63). The latter was voted out once in 2011 – and made a comeback four years ago.

Fight for Noser’s seat in the Council of States

The two seats in the Council of States are also hotly contested. SP man Daniel Jositsch (58) will probably be re-elected in the first round of voting – even though citizens are trying to prevent this with their joint efforts. But who will inherit the seat of Ruedi Noser (62), who is no longer a candidate for the Federal Parliament after twenty years?

FDP state councilor Regine Sauter (57) wants to defend the seat, but SVP competitor Gregor Rutz (50) could pose a serious threat to her. Both parties have made an agreement that the person with the least chances will withdraw after the first round of voting. The question is whether the FDP and the SVP will agree on this assessment.

However, there is broad agreement on this: Center candidate Philipp Kutter (48) should not be underestimated. The National Council involuntarily achieved great fame because of his serious skiing accident, which left him paralyzed.

In a survey commissioned by the “NZZ” in July, Rutz, Kutter and Sauter were almost on the same page. Clearly behind it: Tiana Moser (44), parliamentary group leader of the GLP in the Bundeshaus, Zurich city councilor Daniel Leupi (57) and EPP national councilor Nik Gugger (53) were defeated. Given this situation, only one thing is certain in the run-up to the elections: it will be exciting. Very exciting.