The SVP leadership doesn’t want to show their cards just yet. Only the House of Representatives will decide on Friday who will receive the ticket for the replacement election for Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer (71). The faction board considers all five candidates to be eligible, recommends a two-person ticket and does not name names.
The faction follows the proposal of the former Basel bidder National Councilor Caspar Baader (69), led by the search committee, the SVP announced on Monday.
Governing Council Nidwalden Michèle Blöchliger (55), Bernese National Councilor Albert Rösti (55), Bernese State Councilor Werner Salzmann (60), former Zurich National Councilor Hans-Ueli Vogt (52) and Government Councilor Zug have applied for the seat of the SVP Federale Council Heinz Tannler (62).
All five are on the SVP line
All are eligible and have an impressive track record, the SVP wrote. In addition, all five candidates had the necessary managerial experience.
The selection committee had already come to this conclusion: all five candidates would meet the SVP values. Everyone would stand up for neutrality and self-determination and would reject creeping EU accession. They called for restrictions on immigration enshrined in the constitution and wanted an end to “asylum abuse,” the search committee wrote. There is also a focus on an affordable domestic energy supply.
Parliament must have a choice
According to the information, the priority for the Commission is that the United Federal Assembly has a choice when it comes to electing the successor to outgoing Finance Minister Ueli Maurer.
The replacement elections for the double vacancy following the resignation of SP Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga (62) and SVP Federal Councilor Maurer will take place on 7 December in the winter session of the federal parliament. (SDA)