Who will succeed the outgoing SP councilor Simonetta Sommaruga (62) in the state government? Interested women announced their candidacy last week. Not among them is SP Landsraadslid Jacqueline Badran (60, ZH).
As she now revealed to the “Tagesanzeiger”, she thought “intensely” about a candidacy. As a federal councilor, you have to be willing to take over any department, Badran explains her refusal. “And then I would have to deal with anti-aircraft systems. Not that I couldn’t – but I had no vision of where the military should develop,” says the passionate politician. She had therefore come to the conclusion that she did not have the required qualifications as a federal councilor.
According to the interview, Badran couldn’t even imagine being in charge of the Justice Department: “Deport rejected asylum seekers? I just wouldn’t be in my place.”
Romandy no chance
The woman from Zurich is clearly in favor of a purely SP women’s ticket. As an equality party, the SP must ensure that one woman and one man are represented in the Bundesrat, Badran said.
Yet she also expresses understanding for the anger of her Zurich colleague Daniel Jositsch (57). He complained to the media that the men had been formally barred from the application process because of their gender. Candidates from Romandie, however, are “currently without a chance”, Badran concludes.
She does not expect great opportunities for Jura SP councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (58). Baume-Schneider announced on Friday that she wants to become a federal councilor.
Party leadership wants woman as successor
In two weeks, on November 26, the SP group will nominate Sommaruga’s successor and elections will take place on December 7. For the SP party leadership it is clear: a woman must inherit Sommaruga, from any part of the country. And there must be a ticket for two. (you)