SVP lawmaker Andreas Glarner to quit all offices by year-end

Swiss People’s Party lawmaker Andreas Glarner will step down from all his political offices at the end of the year, SRF reported. He announced the decision on Wednesday evening at the party’s cantonal conference in Oberwil-Lieli, saying he wanted to make room for younger politicians.

Glarner, 65, has served in the Swiss National Council since 2015 and has led the Swiss People’s Party in the canton of Aargau since 2020. He said he wanted to initiate a generational change ahead of the next parliamentary elections.

“Politics is not property, but a temporary mandate. It is time to place both offices in younger, energetic hands,” Glarner was quoted as saying in a statement by the Aargau branch of the party.

Speaking to broadcaster TeleM1, he said: “One could say that 11 years is enough.”

Glarner said his decision was not prompted by pressure within the party, although calls for his resignation had been made. During his political career, he has caused numerous controversies as a provocateur, including over migration.

In 2023, Green lawmaker Sibel Arslan reported him for identity misuse after he published a manipulated video of her online in which she called, among other things, for people to vote for the Swiss People’s Party. His political immunity was lifted in 2025 in connection with the case.

The Aargau party’s executive board will announce his successor as cantonal president at a later date. Glarner intends to continue working for the Swiss People’s Party.