In a week and a half, center politician Martin Candinas (42) will probably be elected chairman of the National Council. The Bündner is then the highest Swiss for a year.
Among the 123 proposals he has put forward in his 11 years on the council are many typical Bergler proposals: to soften the second house initiative, which had been accepted by the people, or to contain the wolf.
With Leuthard under one roof
However, Candinas made a name for herself across Switzerland as a friend of SRG and as a transport politician and campaigner for paternity leave – and as the one who, for a ridiculous price in a prime location in Bern’s old town, together with the then environment minister Doris Leuthard (59 ) and Chancellor Walter Thurnherr (59) lived in a city palace – in different apartments, of course.
That did not bother the always good-humored resident of Graubünden. In his home country people were even proud that someone from Surselva stayed next to a federal councilor in Bern.
A highlight right at the start
The tall Candinas no longer lives in Rabius GR, where he grew up, but in the canton capital of Chur. So far, however, the urban aspect has hardly faded away. Socio-politically he is still quite conservative. So he is not in favor of “marriage for all”.
However, Candinas was never a polarizing politician. More like someone who doesn’t like to hurt. The office of chairman of the National Council therefore seems entirely appropriate to him.
In his first session, he will lead the replacement elections for the outgoing Federal Councilors Ueli Maurer (71, SVP) and Simonetta Sommaruga (62, SP). Everyone secretly dreams of it, says Candinas to the SDA news agency. But there’s no denying that nervousness plays a part. “When Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga announced her resignation after Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer, I was already swallowing empty,” said the Graubünden resident.
Tutoring in Romansh
For Candinas, the office of President of the National Council has been the pinnacle of his political career so far. At the age of 26 he was elected to the youngest Grand Council in Graubünden as sales manager of a health insurance company. In 2011 he moved to the National Council.
As one of only three Romansh-speaking politicians in Bern, Candinas will often begin his speeches and meetings in Romansh in the future.
He is also planning a 30-page brochure for his fellow councilors, in which terms of office will be translated into French, Italian, Rumantsch Grischun and Sursilvan. (pt/SDA)