SVP candidates vie to succeed Parmelin, with party loyalty near-unanimous

Eight politicians are seeking the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) ticket to succeed Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, and all show strong support for the party line, according to Swiss broadcaster SRF.

Political scientist Adrian Vatter of the University of Bern assessed the candidates against the SVP’s requirements. Their overall agreement with party positions ranges from about 95 to 99 percent. Parliamentary group leader Thomas Aeschi and National Council member Michael Graber score highest, at 98 to 99 percent. National Council member Céline Amaudruz is at about 95 percent, with her differences mainly on social issues such as same-sex marriage and paternity leave.

On the SVP’s six core issues, seven candidates back the official party position on every point: strict neutrality, opposition to the EU treaty package, a halt to immigration, a strong army, lower taxes and secure energy supplies. Aargau government councillor Jean-Pierre Gallati is the exception. He opposed the neutrality initiative and agrees with the party on five of the six issues.

The candidates are Amaudruz, Aeschi, Graber, National Council member Rémy Wyssmann, Council of States member Marco Chiesa, Gallati, and government councillors Pierre Alain Schnegg and Franz Ruppen.

Leadership experience is where Vatter sees the biggest differences among the candidates. The SVP has said its next Federal Councillor will need strong powers of enforcement, particularly for the Justice and Police Department or the Defence Department.