The die is cast – at least for now. National councilor Albert Rösti (55) and state councilor Werner Salzmann (59), former national councilor Hans-Ueli Vogt (52) and government councilors Michèle Blöchliger (55, NW) and Heinz Tännler (62, ZG) apply for the SVP follows him at federal Councilor Ueli Maurer (71). The party announced this in Bern on Monday.
The search committee under the former Basel bidder party leader Caspar Baader (69) is now starting its work. She wants to hold hearings with all applicants and put the candidacies to the test. All skeletons in the basement must be discovered early.
Still open whether it’s two or three tickets
It also deals with important political issues of the SVP such as neutrality and self-determination in Switzerland, the acute asylum and migration crisis, a secure energy supply, the reception of small and medium-sized businesses and companies and a strengthening of Swiss food production.
The search committee will submit an application to the SVP faction board by 11 November at the latest. The final appointment decision is to be taken at the parliamentary group meeting on November 18 in Wallis. After that, the SVP will hand over his official candidate card to the federal parliament. Whether it should be a two- or three-person ticket is still open.
Twelve “wild” uses
But it’s not just the five official SVP candidates applying for Maurer’s successor – even if the Greens are waiving their candidacy. By Monday, 12 applications for the Bundesrat elections had been received, independent of the SVP, as the parliamentary services explained at Blick’s request.
Because all Swiss who have reached the age of 18 and who are not “incapacitated because of mental illness or mental weakness” are eligible, as the federal constitution provides. Political office is not required. If you want to stand for election, all you have to do is submit your candidacy.
The elections for the Federal Council will take place on December 7. (SDA/dba)