Attack on the seat of the FDP Federal Council: the Greens are threatened with a new defeat

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The odds are bad. President Balthasar Glättli (51) is also clear about this. But despite their electoral defeat a week ago, the Greens want to attack one of the two seats of the FDP Federal Council. “We are not running because we think our chances are so good, but to make it clear that we have a legitimate claim to a seat in the government,” Glättli told “Sonntagszeitung”. “It is clear that we will encounter resistance.”

That may be an understatement. Anyone who stands as a candidate for the Green Party in the coming days is at risk of burnout. Glättli doesn’t want to throw his hat in the ring. He stands by his decision against a personal candidacy for the Federal Council. But the Greens would present a “convincing candidacy”.

Without a center the attack has no chance

But whoever runs for the Greens in the general election on December 13 will likely play a minor role. The prospects are bad anyway. Strong resistance can be expected from the FDP and the SVP. They have no interest in losing their government majority.

The Greens cannot count on help from the center either. President Gerhard Pfister (61) has made it clear several times that his party will not vote out any sitting federal council members. What he doesn’t say: Sooner or later, the center itself could aim for a second seat in the Federal Council. A Green party in government would stand in the way – meaning the current attack has no chance.

SP and GLP are not yet in the picture

The Greens can only hope for the Green Liberals and the SP. GLP president Jürg Grossen (54) does not want to lean too far out of the window yet. The FDP is also over-represented in the Federal Council for him: “The magic formula has worked its magic.” The GLP’s support also depends on whether “the Greens can nominate suitable candidates”. The Green Liberals themselves renounce their own candidacy.

And even the SP, as the Greens’ natural partner, does not want to raise its hand. Although the conservative government majority is also a thorn in the side of the Social Democrats, the party is still reluctant to make promises to the Greens. You’re just open to conversations.

The reluctance is probably not without reason. The attack on an FDP seat could become an own goal. Because the senior members of the Federal Council are re-elected first, an SP member could face the same threat if he is voted out in a later round. The question remains whether the socialists in the parliament dominated by the bourgeoisie are willing to take such a risk. (dba)

Source:Blick