Giezendanner and Imark leave Swiss cabinet bids open

Swiss People’s Party lawmakers Benjamin Giezendanner and Christian Imark have not ruled out running to succeed Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, SRF reported, citing the SonntagsZeitung.

Giezendanner told the newspaper he would consider a bid if the party approached him. Imark said he would assess one if his profile matched the requirements.

The field of potential candidates widened after Esther Friedli, a senator from St Gallen, said she would not run. Sources told SRF that some people had held back because they believed they had little chance against her.

Other names being discussed include Natalie Rickli, a member of Zurich’s cantonal government; Thomas Aeschi, a member of parliament from Zug and the party’s parliamentary group leader; Pascal Schmid, a member of parliament from Thurgau; Céline Amaudruz, a member of parliament from Geneva and a member of the party leadership; and Franz Grüter, a member of parliament and entrepreneur.

Rickli is seen as a contender with executive experience, while Aeschi has long been considered among the leading possibilities. His chances may have fallen after the election of Martin Pfister, who is also from Zug. Schmid has increasingly featured in speculation, while Amaudruz is considered a strong potential candidate from French-speaking Switzerland. Grüter is described as representing the party line while being regarded by other parties as approachable.

Magdalena Martullo-Blocher, a member of parliament from Graubünden, has said she will not run. The Swiss People’s Party parliamentary group will decide on its candidates on November 20.