The old guard of comrades resigns. After Paul Rechsteiner (70) and Hans Stöckli (70), Roberto Zanetti (67) is now the third SP veteran to resign. He will no longer stand for the Solothurn seat in 2023, the Council of State announced on Thursday evening. He represented his canton for 13 years in the small room.
The SP Solothurn organized its party conference in an anniversary celebration in his honor. Because: Thursday was the 50th anniversary of his SP membership. He finds that “appropriate” and “emotionally correct” for his departure, he says in an interview with the “Solothurner Zeitung”. Moreover: A year before the elections is a good time.
Often worked late into the night
Zanetti explains his retirement from politics with age – he will soon be 68. “I wondered if I would still be as fit in five years as I am now,” Zanetti says. Because he thinks: as a member of the Council of States you have to remain the entire legislature.
He already feels that he needs more rest: “In Berne a lot happens in the short term, you often work at night and after sessions you are exhausted – that also applies to many younger councilors, by the way.”
Zero plans for the future
According to politicians, he has “zero plans”. Don’t get bored when it’s boring. “Having an empty agenda and time is a wonderful feeling.” He also didn’t want to impose himself like a “smart donkey”. There is nothing more insignificant than former politicians.
In the Council of States he regrets the change in the culture of debate: “People are becoming more and more like the National Council”. More and more petitions were filed to get attention and the number of leaks from the committees increased.
Before his time at Stöckli, Zanetti was a member of the governing council and before that mayor – a perfect Swiss political career. He remembers community work nostalgically: “The community mayor is responsible for everything from long-term strategic planning to the Robidog location.” The municipal assembly is the steel bath of democracy.
SP must fear for a seat
With his resignation, the SP must tremble for the Solothurn seat in the Council of State. He doesn’t dare to make predictions, says Zanetti. National Councilor Franziska Roth (56) should step into the ring for the comrades.
With education director Remo Ankli (49) the FDP has a candidate who could beat Roth. He was elected with the best result in the elections to the governing council in Solothurn. Zanetti assures: Everything is still open. (Tom)