Clear Deck for Bern's Executive Succession

The Swiss political consensus rests on a quiet illusion: that executive power in Bern is stepped into seamlessly by reluctant elder statesmen rather than pursued by ambitious politicians. With Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin preparing to vacate his seat, that illusion is wearing thin. What initially looked like a tailored succession for St. Gallen Councillor of States Esther Friedli has dissolved into a wide-open contest.

Friedli’s retreat from the race, announced in early October, removed the heavy favorite whose presence had kept rival ambitions quietly in check. Suddenly, silence from the backbenches has turned into polite interest. Aargau National Councillor Benjamin Giezendanner and his Solothurn colleague Christian Imark have both signalled their willingness to evaluate a candidacy if approached by the party. In the quiet corridors of the federal parliament, such willingness is the standard currency of open ambition.

The SVP parliamentary group will officially decide on its list of nominees on November 20, but the arithmetic is already complex. The party faces the familiar challenge of balancing regional representation, executive pedigree, and acceptability among rival parties who ultimately cast votes in the Federal Assembly.

Several prominent figures remain in play. Zurich cantonal government member Natalie Rickli brings rare executive experience and political weight. Geneva National Councillor Céline Amaudruz stands out as the most prominent candidate from French-speaking Switzerland, though her hardline reputation in Parliament may limit her appeal across the aisle. From the German-speaking wing, Thurgau’s Pascal Schmid, widely tagged as an emerging figure on asylum policy, has quietly gained momentum. Meanwhile, Lucerne entrepreneur Franz Grüter offers a business background coupled with an approachable demeanor that appeals beyond traditional party boundaries. Conversely, parliamentary group leader Thomas Aeschi faces tactical headwinds following the recent election of fellow Zug politician Martin Pfister.

At the same time, explicit rejections have narrowed the leadership's choices. Party President Marcel Dettling explicitly ruled out a run to focus on leading the party organization, while Grisons National Councillor Magdalena Martullo-Blocher remains effectively unselectable for the center and left blocs in parliament.

Switzerland's unique seven-member government operates on consensus and stability—a system that traditionally rewards caution over charismatic dominance. Yet as the SVP prepares to select its candidate, the race reveals how political calculation remains alive and well behind the neat façade of Swiss executive governance.

Written by Thorben Thiede thorben.thiede@alpineweekly.com