Federal Council elections on December 13: FDP fears a secret plan against Cassis

There is talk within the FDP ranks of a “secret plan against Cassis”. “We have indications that some in the center are already trying to win a second seat in the Federal Council at our expense – even though the FDP remains the third party in electoral strength,” FDP faction leader Damien Cottier (48) told Blick. . In return, the Liberals will apparently be sent away with the vacant Federal Chancellery.

FDP Chancellor of Ticino instead of Federal Councilor of Ticino?

Reason for the fear: At least one liberal cadre with Ticino roots was “motivated” by centrist and SP circles to run for chancellor, says Cottier. “The fact that a Ticino resident was approached makes us prick up.” He thinks it is conceivable that other FDP people were also encouraged to run for office.

Cottier suspects a political maneuver. “It suggests that some people on the center left might try to take away an FDP seat,” Cottier said. It is reminiscent of the deselection of SVP federal councilor Christoph Blocher (83) in 2007, when Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (67) was pulled out of the hat in a cloak-and-dagger operation. “I wouldn’t be too surprised if a name like Gerhard Pfister appeared on the ballots this time – even if he wasn’t officially nominated.”

The liberals also see media articles such as that of Federal Council historian Urs Altermatt (81) as an indication that the ground is being prepared for a deselection of Cassis. He told CH Media that the Centre, with its mantra of not voting out a sitting federal councilor, is “missing the momentum of success in 2023”.

Mitte-Bregy disagrees

However, center faction leader Philipp Matthias Bregy (45) denies that such a plan exists: “It is the first time I have heard of such a thing.” He emphasizes that his group confirmed its position on Friday. “We will not vote out any previous federal council members on December 13. This also applies to cassis.”

SP faction leader Samira Marti (29) only says: “I don’t have such conversations.” However, the SP never tires of emphasizing that the right-wing SVP/FDP majority is seen as a problem for a social Switzerland and must therefore be broken as quickly as possible.

Cottier especially warns the SP

“I hope you can believe what is being said publicly now,” Cottier said. “A secret maneuver would certainly not be in Switzerland’s interests.” This requires stability in times of many crises. A maneuver is also not in the interests of the center left, he warns: “If they cause chaos with a second-round vote on December 13, there is a risk that the next elections will also become more uncertain.”

The SP in particular has an interest in “that the other factions respect the rules of the game and choose someone from the lot,” Cottier warns. Because the SP seats of the current Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (59) and the retiring Alain Berset (51) will end up at the very end in the general renewal elections. Election Day on December 13 promises excitement.