The FDP can defend its second seat on the government council in Schwyz. In the second vote, the electorate chose Damian Meier (48) from the FDP for the new governing council.
Meier received 16,125 votes, his challenger Ursula Lindauer (GLP) scored 11,787 votes. The non-party Peter Abegg (non-party, with 5842 votes) and Jürg Rückmar of the group Aufrecht Schwyz (1045 votes), founded by critics of corona measures, did not stand a chance.
Meier is commander of the Schwyz cantonal police. The former primary school teacher and lawyer long ago gained political experience in the Cantonal Parliament of Lucerne. He is the father of four children and lives with his family in Schwyz.
The distribution of seats remains the same
Meier missed out on the absolute majority on the first ballot, but placed well ahead of Lindauer. On the second ballot, he received support from the SVP, while the GLP candidate received support from the center. The SP withdrew after the first vote and refrained from making a recommendation.
The by-elections became necessary because the incumbent government councilors Andreas Barraud (SVP) and Kaspar Michel (FDP) resign. The SVP was able to defend its seat on the first ballot on September 25 with Schwyz Mayor Xaver Schuler.
The Schwyz cantonal government thus consists of three members from the SVP and two each from the center and the FDP. (SDA/lha)