Guggisberg vs. Page: Two SVP members fight for prestigious positions

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It is a prestigious office: the Chairmanship of the National Council. As the highest-ranking Swiss citizen, you chair council meetings and tour the country – and the entire world – as a representative of parliament.

The parties take turns deciding who they will appoint to the seat of the National Council. There are two concepts: You choose an old hand – that is, a deserving parliamentarian – to reward him. Just like the SP, for which former councilor Eric Nussbaumer (63) from Baselbie will take over the council chairmanship from the winter session.

Or a young fox – younger people, to build them up and make them known. Such as the FDP, where Maja Riniker (45), national councilor of Aargau, has now become first vice president.

SVP duel for second vice position

The position of second vice president is open and this time goes to the SVP. The party must choose which concept it prioritises. Blick knows: Two candidates have applied for the position.

Freiburg National Councilor Pierre-André Page (63) is an experienced SVP member who has been in the Grand Chamber since 2015. His opponent is Bernese Federal Councilor Lars Guggisberg (46), who reached the Bundestag four years ago.

The SVP faction will decide on Friday who it will nominate for the post. And also who will be the “highest Swiss” in two years. The French-speaking Swiss are aiming for the prestige position with Page. In the most recent elections, the SVP made significant gains, especially in French-speaking Switzerland, and won several seats.

“Yes, I am interested in the office,” Page tells Blick. The SVP has made strong gains in French-speaking Switzerland, he emphasizes. The last time an SVP representative from French-speaking Switzerland held the office of President of the National Council was in 2007/2008. “So it would be logical that it would be the turn of a Roman again.”

Moreover: the last time a Bernese, Andreas Aebi (64), occupied the office. And Albert Rösti (56), a Bernese, sits on the Federal Council. With Guggisberg, another Bernese would be honored – a bit much Bern-heavy for some, which is why they prefer Page.

Guggisberg is seen as a good networker

However, some in the party are not happy with Page’s withdrawal from the second round of the Freiburg Council of States elections in favor of the FDP. After all, he was relatively close in third place behind the two previous councilors from Mitte and FDP. Page would certainly have had a chance at a seat in the Council of States for the SVP.

In addition: Guggisberg is seen as ambitious and a good networker. It is also said that “SVP Tom Cruise” could give the party a younger image than Page. Some group members see the Bernese Guggisberg in pole position to take the pole.

Source:Blick