Advice for SP candidates: this is how it works at the Federal Council

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There were only two left. After an almost endless march with 18 rounds of voting, the SP put forward its two candidates on Saturday to succeed Alain Berset (51): the Basel government chairman Beat Jans (59) and the Graubünden federal councilor Jon Pult (39). For both, the instruments of power are already within their reach.

But only one person can climb the political Olympus in the Federal Council elections on December 13. And the road to it remains littered with pitfalls and missteps. The look guide will help you dribble around most faux pas. Because now it is important to convince not only your own group, but also the other parties.

You also have to score points in public. Certainly, the population cannot vote for either of them, but a convincing appearance also helps in parliament. But the colleagues in the two councils are central.

Therefore, dear candidate for the Federal Council: it is better to say hello too often and always be friendly, even to your political opponents. Otherwise, you will face a similar fate as the Basel SP state councilor Eva Herzog (61), who wanted to succeed Simonetta Sommaruga (63) in the Federal Council a year ago – and lost to the current Minister of Justice Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (59). ). . Also because it is considered ‘distant’ and ‘bulky’.

Don’t keep pretending you’ve already been chosen. You, dear Beat Jans (59), should have told that to your canton too. It is quite bold to announce the date on which your successor would be chosen, as Basel-Stadt did on Monday. This can be interpreted as arrogant.

Mr Pult and Mr Jans, please do not send WhatsApp messages to fellow sufferers announcing that you can no longer interfere with so many issues after the elections. That happened with the candidacy of former Zug financial director and current middle councilor Peter Hegglin (62). After that, the middle man didn’t even appear on his company’s official ticket.

Then the public performances. Avoid repeating party slogans that you have memorized. And pay attention to your appearance. But don’t bend, stay authentic. Anyone who suddenly wears a suit and tie as a comrade, like Jon Pult (39), raises questions.

In short, suits that are too big or too tight don’t look good. But it is even worse for an SP player to wear a suit. This intimacy with the FDP could deter the center-left. It’s best to stick to a simple shirt, a classic jacket and inconspicuous trousers. This way you look good on every stage and with every aperitif.

But be careful: your quick wit and punchlines can score you points on stage. However, you should urgently avoid verbal blunders such as ‘Dä isch and Depp’ – what happened to Heidi Z’graggen (57) in 2018. So always pay attention to whether the microphone is actually switched off or not.

Because: even if you are elected, good relationships with political leaders are the most important thing. Always emphasize the “constructive cooperation” you strive for. And ‘the best solutions for our country’s challenges’ that you want to find together.

Consider whether you want to hire a PR company. It might be worth it. This is evident from Baume-Schneider’s well-orchestrated campaign for the Federal Council. Your photo with the black-nosed sheep can rightly be described as a PR coup from last year.

Last but not least: always play with open cards – not like SVP candidate Bruno Zuppiger (1952-2016) in 2011. Irregularities were discovered in the management of an inheritance of a former employee, which for the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Canton of Zurich prompted the initiation of criminal proceedings against him. The SVP took him out of the running as a candidate for the Federal Council. He was ready politically.

Source:Blick