Riniker enters Aargau government race as clear favourite

Four candidates are seeking a seat in Aargau’s cantonal government, with FDP National Councillor Maja Riniker the clear favourite, SRF reports. Voters are choosing a successor to government member Stephan Attiger, who will step down at the end of the year.

The new member will take over the Department of Construction, Transport and the Environment. The candidates are Loredana Nigro, 21, of Juso, from Lengnau; Riniker, 48, of the FDP, from Suhr; independent Theres Schöni, 64, from Merenschwand; and Stephan Zurfluh, 64, of the Music Party, from Baden.

Riniker is widely known after serving as president of the National Council in 2025. The other candidates have no significant experience in political office. Riniker has the backing of the FDP, the SVP and the Centre party. The SP recommends Nigro, while Schöni and Zurfluh have no official party endorsements.

Dominik Gresch, a GLP member of the cantonal parliament and city councillor in Zofingen, also planned to run. He withdrew after making headlines over debt enforcement proceedings related to tax debts. The GLP, Greens and EVP, which had supported him, have not issued a new recommendation.