Greens, Social Democrats and GLP challenge Zug government incumbents

All seven members of Zug’s cantonal government are seeking another term in Sunday’s elections, facing challengers from the left-green camp, the Social Democrats and the Green Liberals, SRF reports.

The incumbent government comprises two members of the Swiss People’s Party, three from The Centre and two from the Free Democratic Party. Finance director Heinz Tännler, 66, has served since 2007, while education and culture director Stephan Schleiss, 53, has been in office since 2011.

The Centre’s candidates are economic affairs director Silvia Thalmann, 65; security director Laura Dittli, 35; and health director Andreas Hausheer, 53. The Free Democrats are represented by construction director Florian Weber, 45, and Andreas Hostettler, 58, the cantonal president and director of the interior.

Three newcomers are also running. The ALG is fielding cantonal council member Andreas Lustenberger, 40, who is on Caritas’s executive management. The Social Democrats are seeking a seat with lawyer Jessica Gauch, 32, who has not previously held political office. The Green Liberals’ candidate is economist and cantonal council member Joëlle Gautier, 41.