Marcel Dettling is the crown favorite for the SVP presidency: the Toni Brunner twins only have to say yes

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SVP boss Marco Chiesa (49) is resigning, Marcel Dettling (42) is already there. Over the past two years, the SVP campaign leader has already taken on many of the tasks that a party chairman does. The success in the parliamentary elections on October 22, when the SVP achieved its third best result, is also thanks to Dettling.

“He is a kind of Toni Brunner,” says a politician from Dettling’s home canton of Schwyz. He is a generous person who can joke with drivers in winter as a parking attendant at Hoch-Ybrig, but also with bosses of private banks during a meeting at the chic Berner Hotel Bellevue. Perfect for the Chiesa successor. “It is actually clear that he will do that if he wants to,” the party says.

The National Council of Schwyz even made it clear to Blick that the presidency appealed to him: “It is an exciting job, I am interested and will think carefully about my candidacy.” While people like Solothurn councilor Christian Imark (41), who has already resigned, are too independent for party pioneer Christoph Blocher (83), “Dettling is already a party soldier”, it is said in Central Switzerland. “Not a strategist, but a reliable implementer.”

This is exactly the kind of person needed at the top of the SVP: “I had an order. And we succeeded,” says Chiesa, announcing his departure from CH Media. The Council of States of Ticino also carried out the case and did not direct it itself. It is no surprise to SVP members that Chiesa will not stand for re-election in March. Four years ago, he had to be persuaded for a long time before he agreed to become chairman of the party. Dettling was already a topic of conversation then. The father of three children canceled at the time for family reasons.

The party has set up a search committee led by former faction leader Caspar Baader (70). The cantonal departments have until January 19, 2024 to register interested parties in the replacement election. The election will take place on March 23.

Others remain in the race

Besides Imark, other possible candidates have declined. Geneva National Councilor Céline Amaudruz (44) and her municipal council colleague Esther Friedli (46) from St. Gallen have not yet canceled. The latter is the partner of former SVP president Toni Brunner (49). But she is said to have Federal Council ambitions. Franz Grüter (60) also remains in the race. The Lucerne National Council said of “20 Minutes”: “If I were asked, I would definitely think about it.”

Sandra Sollberger (50) is also mentioned. The Basel Federal Councilor wants to think seriously about the presidency. Bernese Federal Councilor Lars Guggisberg (46) is also considering running for office. Just like Zurich federal councilor and banker Thomas Matter (57), who tells Blick: “Of course I am thinking about a possible candidacy. But I am also a passionate entrepreneur, and that takes a lot of time.”

Dettling has the blessing

But whoever participates in the SVP faction: the top favorite is and remains Marcel Dettling. There is only one Toni Brunner. But in Dettling the party has something of a twin brother. They both just seem likeable. And just like Brunner from Toggenburg, Dettling from Schwyz is also a farmer. Moreover: as a native of Central Switzerland, many say he would make a good team with Nidwalden Secretary General Peter Keller (52). And most importantly: Dettling has the blessing of SVP father Blocher. All he has to do is say yes.

Source:Blick