SVP-Poncet on giving up his seat in the National Council: “I am an old fart and do not want to exclude young talent”

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That rarely happens. A politician participates in the federal elections, is elected to the National Council and then no longer wants to. Charles Poncet (76) from Geneva would prefer to remain a canton councilor and let his party colleague Thomas Bläsi (52) go first. In terms of democratic policy, this is difficult, as Poncet also sees. But he thinks it’s in line with the system.

Blick: Mr. Poncet, why don’t you want to go to Federal Bern?
Charles Poncet: It’s not that I don’t want to.

You announced your resignation today.
I would have liked to become a member of the National Council if the SVP had won a third seat in Geneva. But the middle has betrayed us.

What do you mean by treason?
Our goal was to get SVP National Councilor Céline Amaudruz into the Council of States. As agreed, the FDP and other parties supported us. But the center did not keep its end of the bargain.

Why did you actually participate?
Because we wanted the third seat of the National Council. But we were denied this. Because the list link with Mouvement citoyens genevois (MCG) has not yielded anything to us. Instead, MCG managed to win two seats.

Nevertheless: you would have made it to the National Council.
I am grateful for that. But the question arose for me whether I wanted to throw Thomas Bläsi out of the National Council. Because he was already in parliament in the last term, is very well versed in health policy and is 52 years old. I’m an old fart and I don’t want to push away young talent (laughs).

In the end, the majority of people voted for you – and not for Bläsi.
It’s sensitive, no discussion. But it is system compliant. Anyone elected in Switzerland does not have to accept their election. That’s what the law meant. The voters are aware of this.

When LGBTQ activist Anna Rosenwasser was elected to the National Council for the SP, she was initially hesitant to accept it. The SVP in particular criticized the fact that it was sensitive in the area of ​​democratic policy. Now go ahead and don’t contest your election.
I have never criticized Anna Rosenwasser. The SVP does what he wants. I was aware that my decision would provoke criticism and I understand that.

Will you stand again in the next federal election?
I am 76 years old! At this age I will certainly never participate again. But I will remain in the Cantonal Council of Geneva for a while – and hopefully I can still be of some use to the SVP.

Source:Blick