Imark rules himself out of race to succeed Parmelin
Tuesday 20th October 2026 on 11:01 in
Switzerland
Christian Imark, a lawmaker from the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) in the National Council, will not run to succeed Guy Parmelin, he told SRF. The 44-year-old said his two young children need their father.
Imark is the latest prominent SVP figure to rule out a candidacy. So far, only Céline Amaudruz, an SVP member of the National Council from Geneva, has officially said she will enter the race.
Other politicians who have declined include Zurich government councillor Natalie Rickli, St Gallen Council of States member Esther Friedli and SVP president Marcel Dettling. Magdalena Martullo-Blocher, an SVP member of the National Council from Graubünden, has also said she will not run. Schwyz government councillor André Rüegsegger has ruled out a candidacy after considering one at the suggestion of his cantonal party.
The United Federal Assembly will elect a successor to outgoing Federal Councillor Parmelin on December 9. The SVP is seeking to retain the vacant seat. Its parliamentary group will nominate candidates for the party’s official ticket on November 20.