‘Jositsch has learned his lesson’

It had become clear. Things have gone in the wrong direction for the Zurich Council of States Daniel Jositsch (57) since he made his big appearance to the media on November 8, announcing his intention to sit in the Bundesrat – even against the will of the party leaders.

At that time, not a single SP woman had thrown her hat into the ring, but suddenly there they were: Eva Herzog (60), Evi Allemann (44) and Élisabeth Baume-Schneider (58). Like Jositsch, Herzog and Baume-Schneider sit on the Council of States, while Allemann was a member of the National Council.

benefit for women

They all have a decisive advantage over Jositsch. No, not – or yes, also – that all three are women. But above all, all three are or were executive politicians and not only university professors and in the presidium of KV Switzerland. Baume-Schneider and Herzog served as government councilors in Jura and Basel respectively. Evi Allemann is a member of the cantonal government in Bern.

If this trio had refrained from a candidacy after careful consideration, and if only one of those SP politicians had started who had canceled in recent days, although no one had counted them, the SP race management would have been happy with the commitment van Jositsch for the men – and for himself.

But just. It’s not like that. Perhaps the management team with co-chairs Mattea Meyer (35) and Cédric Wermuth (36) and faction chairman Roger Nordmann (49) played a little high when they made it clear at the beginning of this month that they would only have two tickets with women. But it worked out. The group is behind them.

No Per-Axgüsi

That had become increasingly clear in recent days. SPler even said behind closed doors that Jositsch’s ego trip probably shows that he is not suitable for the Bundesrat. There, too, you only seek open confrontation when you know you’re going to win. Anyone who has what it takes to be a member of the Federal Council can solve this more elegantly. The Council of States Roberto Zanetti (67) could have argued for equal opportunities for women and men – and proposed per äxgüsi Jositsch.

But in the end Jositsch was on his own. Because it was not even councilor Zanetti, as previously announced, who submitted the application for a three-ride ticket with at least two women on it. This card with the option that the third person could also be a man, Jositsch should have built a bridge over the card. No, eventually Jositsch had to bring in this Lex Jositsch himself.

It was therefore not surprising that, as group leader Roger Nordmann (49) announced on Friday, 37 group members voted for an all-female ticket and only 6 people against.

“Lesson learned”

‘Jositsch has learned his lesson’, the comrades now say. Even before the faction meeting, he realized he was lost. Both parties treated each other with care. You didn’t want to get in the way of further cooperation here or there.

The voting intentions of the other factions are clear: they demand a selection from the SP. And the comrades serve them one on a ticket for two, as they also decided on Friday. Only on November 26 will they decide which duo of the trio Herzog, Allemann, Baume-Schneider will end up on the ticket.

The factions promise that their members will choose the SP federal councilor from this duo. It is quite possible that Jositsch will get a few votes. Among them, perhaps, that Zanetti. But it won’t be enough.

There will be a female with E

On Wednesday morning, December 7 at 8 a.m., the successor of SVP Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer (71) will be determined, as he was the first to step down. The Federal Assembly can choose from a second ticket with Albert Rösti (55) and Hans-Ueli Vogt (52).

Then the new Federal President Martin Candinas (42, center) must proceed to the election of the successor to SP Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga (62). A man is not chosen, even if his first name starts with a D. A woman whose first name begins with an E is chosen.

Jositsch remains a member of the Council of States.