Albert Rosti (55) will. During a short-term media conference in the Kursaal in Bern, the SVP National Council made public its ambitions of the Federal Council on Monday. “I dare,” said the Bernese Oberlander, in a good mood and visibly relieved.
The last ten days he had a lot of conversations, so Rösti. does he want that? can he? Is his family behind it? And is a candidacy in the interest of the SVP? He needed to clarify these and other questions. For example with his wife Theres and their two adult children André and Sarina, but also with members of the House of Representatives faction. Finally he was sure: the answer is yes. He wants to serve the country as a member of the Federal Council and is convinced that he has the necessary support to do so.
Rösti has great respect for the responsibility that comes with the office of the Federal Council. “For me, politics is a passion and not just an occupation,” said the National Councilor.
High-quality agronomist
Even before he spoke, representatives of the Bernese Oberland SVP had drummed for Rösti. Barbara Josi, SVP faction leader in the Bernese Grand Council, went all the way to the stable. Helping out on his parents’ mountain farm in Kandersteg BE was Rösti’s humility and dedication. He later completed his training as an agronomist at ETH with high marks.
Former Bernese National Councilor Hansruedi Wanderfluh (70) stated, among other things, that Rösti, as the former Secretary General of the Bernese Economic Directorate, also has managerial experience. And it was also mentioned that Rösti was once chairman of the Association of Milk Producers, which, by the way, publishes the cooking magazine “Le Menu”.
Not the first Bernese candidate
However, Rösti will not have found a recipe to become a member of the Bundesrat. He is not the first to enter the race to succeed Ueli Maurer (71). Last week another Berner penetrated: States member Werner Salzmann (59). Rösti described him as a “highly qualified competitor”.
It is not yet clear whether the cantonal party of Bern will nominate both candidates for the national selection committee or will nominate only one of the two. It is very likely that other candidates from other cantons will follow. Rösti said he was counting on it. The deadline for nominations is October 21.
Elections on December 7
For example, St. Gallen National Councilor Esther Friedli (45) is being traded as a possible competitor. Zurich’s SVP would also like to send a candidate into the race – Thomas Matter (56) or Gregor Rutz (49) could be, who kneels the party to reconsider the already given rejection.
The national selection committee, led by former SVP party chairman Caspar Baader (69), will issue its advice to the SVP party on 11 November. He decides a week later who gets the Bundesrat ticket. The elections for the Federal Council will take place on December 7.