class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>
Speed dating in the Federal Palace. It’s not about finding true love, it’s about finding the next federal council member. On Tuesday afternoon, the SP candidates Beat Jans (59) and Jon Pult (39) had hearings with the factions after the hearings with the farmers.
The SVP, FDP, Greens and GLP each had 45 minutes to question Basel government chairman Jans and Graubünden National Councilor Pult. And Jans and Pult the other way around to collect sympathy points. The middle hearings won’t take place until next week. The elections are on December 13.
“Like on holiday”
What is said behind closed party doors could be crucial for the future of both men. Many parliamentarians are getting to know the candidates better for the first time and are able to form their own opinion about them. Especially the newly elected members, who have just found their seat in the council chamber, will have been enthusiastic to see the SP members.
How did the hearings go? The two candidates appeared buttoned up as they moved from one hearing to the next. “It’s great, just like being on vacation,” Pult said sarcastically as he left the GLP room. Meanwhile, Jans was shielded by his companion so that he could catch his breath between interrogations.
No decisions yet
Only in the evening, when all four hearings had been completed, did Pult and Jans comment. They emphasized that they still felt good. “I feel at peace with myself after these hearings,” Pult said. Jans summarized: “It was intense, but it went as I expected.” Now the political groups should decide what to do with his answers.
But they weren’t handing out roses yet. Only next week – on Tuesday evening or sometimes early in the morning of election day – do they want to decide whether they are going to issue election advice, and if so, for whom.
Green candidate very relaxed
Even after the first group hearings, there is still no clear favorite. In terms of content, Jans was rhetorically more convincing, according to an SVP member. In the right-wing party it currently seems to be an advantage for Jans. It was clear that Jans was more of a statesman than an agency, according to Bern SVP of the Council of State Werner Salzmann (61). The option of not voting for one of the two official candidates is apparently not yet completely off the table. On Tuesday, the SVP only recognized the SP’s claim to two seats.
FDP faction leader Damien Cottier (48) made it clear after the hearings: “We will choose a candidate based on the SP ticket.” At least, on the condition that the other parties re-elect the two FDP federal members Ignazio Cassis and Karin Keller-Sutter.
While Pult and Jans were clearly nervous, the third member of the group – Greenland councilor Gerhard Andrey (47) – was deeply relaxed. The explosive candidate of the Eco Party, who wants to take a seat from the Liberals, was also allowed to appear on Tuesday, but only for the Green Liberals. The meeting was “pleasant and constructive,” he said. Early in the morning he had already met the SVP leadership. The SP will receive him next week.
It wasn’t love at first sight this Tuesday. Either way, sparks are more likely to fly between the candidates and the SVP than sparks will fly.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
