Marcel Dettling (42) lives with his family on a farm with 17 cows, 5 calves and 40 sheep: this is how the crown favorite votes for the SVP presidency

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Marcel Dettling (42) has his hands full. He works as an usher at the parking lot of the Hoch-Ybrig ski lift. The parking lot is free, but someone has to keep it tidy. A bit like the party chairmanship of the SVP: a voluntary position that provides direction. Dettling has not yet made a decision. But he is not averse to office – and is considered in SVP circles as the favorite to succeed party leader Marco Chiesa (49).

Dettling will spend New Year’s Eve with his wife and three children at home in Oberiberg SZ. There will be fondue and a games evening “at the request of the children”. Then Dettling looks forward to the Trychler and the Geislenchlepfer. The latter are customs in Central Switzerland that drive away evil spirits. “For example, the EU and the warmongers of this world,” he says, laughing.

Dettling is “mainly the far right”

Dettling lives with his family on a farm that receives almost R80,000 in direct payments annually from the federal government. The company currently consists of 17 cows, five calves and 40 sheep. Farmer Dettling is also a natural enemy of the wolf: “I recently bought expensive pasture nets of 2.5 kilometers long to protect my sheep from the wolf.”

The SVP used to be divided into two camps: the Zurich hardliners around SVP doyen Christoph Blocher (83) and the moderates around the Bernese SVP favorite Adolf Ogi (81). Dettling does not believe in the alleged SVP dualism: “There is no Team Blocher and no Team Ogi. The SVP only knows Team Switzerland,” says Dettling. “We pull together.” If anyone embodies this unity in the party, it is Marcel Dettling.

The central Swiss resident has been a member of the National Council since 2015. A companion says of him: “He is intelligent, charming and eloquent. Above all, it is on the far right, after that there is only the wall.”

Foot bath against rotten limp

During Advent, on December 12, Dettling again asked his favorite question in the National Council: “What is the current status of the federal asylum center in the canton of Schwyz?” For Dettling, the answer was worryingly vague: “The SEM has been investigating various locations in Central Switzerland for several years.” The fact that a federal asylum center has been talked about for years, but none has been built, can also be attributed to Dettling’s propaganda. He was more likely than others to recognize that the issue of migration would bear fruit at the ballot box. Accordingly, Dettling repeatedly bombards the Federal Council with lists of questions.

“Cost avalanche due to S status” was a question that Dettling asked the outgoing Minister of Justice Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (60) shortly before Christmas. “Protect the border” was another request.

But the SVP crown favorite is also concerned with other matters. For example, foot rot – a bacterial disease of the claws of ruminants, especially sheep. The sheep farmer Dettling wanted to know from Health Minister Alain Berset (51) why there is no urgent approval for a certain foot bath. What also concerns Dettling: sugar price dumping. He campaigns for the Swiss sugar industry.

Look for solutions instead of blocks

Is Marcel Dettling a kind of Markus Ritter (56) of the SVP? The chairman of the farmers’ association, Markus Ritter, national councilor of the Center, is one of the most powerful movers in the Federal Palace. He is full of praise for farmer Dettling: “You can always count on Marcel! I appreciate his commitment to agriculture, his political knowledge and his strong rhetoric. He would make an excellent SVP party leader.”

SVP former federal councilor Adolf Ogi (81) does not want to make personnel recommendations – but would like to see a statesman as SVP party leader. Ogi told SonntagsBlick: “A party leader must be a strong leader, must also speak French and have a friendly face.” The Bernese Oberlander is convinced: “Politics also goes further than the soul and heart. If you don’t appeal to the hearts of the citizens, you can collapse.”

It is important that Chiesa’s successor has the courage to develop solutions even to difficult issues – for example the issue of Europe. “A blocking policy won’t get us anywhere. The SVP won the elections, now the new party leader must take responsibility and leadership. That also means looking for a compromise.”

Double leadership ‘does not suit the SVP’

Lucerne SVP National Councilor Vroni Thalmann-Bieri (54) is in favor of dual leadership: “Marco Chiesa strongly represented the SVP in Latin Switzerland. That paid off. A dual leadership would enable us to be present in all parts of the country. Marcel Dettling and Geneva SVP party leader Céline Amaudruz would be a good dual leadership. However, I expect that Ms. Amaudruz will clearly distance herself from the 13th AHV pension, which the Geneva SVP supports.”

Marcel Dettling, however, rejects a two-man team at the top: “That does not only suit SVP. Leadership cannot be shared.” Vice-SVP chairman Céline Amaudruz (44), on the other hand, could imagine a co-presidium: “That is not in line with the party’s practices. But I do not close any doors when it comes to my role in the leadership of the SVP.” The National Councilor of Geneva emphasizes: “I am motivated and determined to work to advance the issues that matter to the middle class.”

However, another SVP woman is taking herself out of the race: Zurich government councilor Natalie Rickli (47) announces that the party chairmanship is currently excluded for her.

Favorite Marcel Dettling has made a New Year’s resolution to make enough time for his family and the farm at home, despite politics. Dettling does not want to understand what sounds like a secret promise to run for party leader: “The party will decide on the future with the party leadership on January 19.”

Source:Blick