Amaudruz vows to pursue Federal Council bid despite attacks

Swiss People’s Party candidate Céline Amaudruz says criticism has strengthened her resolve to seek a place on the party’s Federal Council ticket, SRF reports.

The Geneva National Council member has faced attacks in the German-speaking press over her number of paid positions outside politics. Newspapers have also criticised her in recent weeks for being a woman, being wealthy and not always following the party line.

Amaudruz has four paid mandates, according to the parliamentary register of interests, just above the National Council average of 3.3. The average among centre-right members is 4.2. Three of her mandates are board seats at Geneva Airport, Groupe Minoteries and Société Infracrore.

In a written response to French-language public broadcaster RTS, Amaudruz said the attacks showed she could handle opposition and personal criticism. She said she believed this would help her secure a place on the ticket presented to parliament.

Fellow French-speaking lawmakers criticised the attacks. Jean-Luc Addor, a People’s Party member of the National Council from Valais, called Amaudruz a legitimate and competent candidate who had contributed greatly to the party and remained faithful to its core values. He also said there was a degree of condescension among German-speaking colleagues towards French-speaking and other Latin-speaking members.

Green Liberal National Council member Céline Weber said the attacks by what she described as a German-speaking party elite showed the People’s Party was becoming more radical. She said the disparagement of its parliamentarians, including its vice-president, raised concerns about political debate in Switzerland.

The People’s Party is due to finalise a ticket of two or three candidates on November 20.