The field of candidates for the SVP chairmanship is thinning: who will take on Dettling?

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“Yes, I want! I’m participating!”, SVP Councilor Marcel Dettling (42) announced his candidacy for the SVP presidency. At the end of March, the man from Schwyz wants to succeed Marco Chiesa (49) from Ticino.

Dettling was persuaded by his fellow party members to take over the presidency four years ago. At the time he canceled for family reasons. This time too, he is the preferred candidate for many in the SVP. This begs the question: who will take on Dettling?

Will French-speaking Switzerland compete?

In any case, a rival candidate will probably come from French-speaking Switzerland. In the National Council elections, the SVP won four seats in French-speaking Switzerland, fueling French ambitions for the leadership post. For example, the Genevan National Councilor Céline Amaudruz (44) has been discussed for a co-presidium. Such a model is excluded for Dettling. “Leadership cannot be shared,” he believes.

Amaudruz still leaves all options open, she explains to “Le Matin Dimanche”. Ultimately, Chiesa proved that the SVP could win elections with a president from Latin Switzerland. But it is clear that she wants to remain vice president as before.

Bernjurassier Manfred Bühler (44) will also not take himself out of the race for the time being. He is considering a candidacy and wants to have a few more conversations “to get a clear explanation,” he tells Blick. As a bilingual, he would be a link between the language areas for the SVP. “I will probably announce my decision on Monday or Tuesday morning.”

There is a hail of cancellations in German-speaking Switzerland

But especially in German-speaking Switzerland, the field brightens with Dettling’s announcement. The crown favorite faces the coronation, which is now causing a rain of rejections. “Marcel Dettling seems to me to be the best possible candidate,” says National Councilor Benjamin Giezendanner (41, AG). “The question of candidacy therefore no longer arises.”

State councilor Lars Guggisberg (46, BE) is also out of the race: “Dettling is my absolute preferred candidate and I support his candidacy.” Valais resident Michael Graber (42) immediately says: “Dettling will be the perfect SVP president! He has a clear line, is very intelligent, quick-witted and has a winning manner. What else do you want?”

Franz Grüter (60) from Lucerne and Mike Egger (31) from St. Gallen also cancel. And entrepreneur Thomas Matter (57, ZH), who decided not to apply due to lack of time, says: “Dettling is definitely a windfall for us.”

SVP women for Dettling

The German-speaking Swiss SVP women also support Dettling. “He is exactly the right person for this role,” says State Councilor Esther Friedli (46, SG). For her, a candidacy is ‘completely out of the question’, because she wants to concentrate on the office of state councilor.

“I am happy that my preferred candidate Marcel Dettling says yes,” says Sandra Sollberger (50), from Basel, who sits with him on the party leadership committee. National councilor Martina Bircher (39, AG) is also not standing as a candidate.

Deadline for registration is January 19

The cantonal sections of the SVP have until January 19 to report possible candidates to the search committee led by former national councilor Caspar Baader (70). The new president will be elected at the delegation meeting on March 23 in Bern.

Source:Blick