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Vaudois Olivier Feller and Neuchâtelois Damien Cottier are vying for the post of group leader in Parliament. But this healthy competition might benefit a German-speaking candidacy.
Olivier Feller and Damien Cottier are aiming for a strategic position in Bern, that of group leader, in this case that of the PLR.
PLR
The position of group leader in Bern can be a springboard that leads to the Federal Council. Pascal Couchepin and Ignazio Cassis are there to testify. In mid-December, the current head of the PLR group, Beat Walti (PLR / ZH), announced his retirement following four years of loyal service. Within parliamentarians, the succession procedure has been launched and two figures from Romand have announced themselves to take up the torch: the Vaudois Olivier Feller and the Neuchâtelois Damien Cottier.
“Succeed in finding good internal cohesion”
The first to have declared himself is Olivier Feller, on December 22. While he is currently vice-president of the group, it seems natural to him to climb a step to reach the presidency: “It’s a choice that I have matured, he said. Being vice-president of the group for two years, I know the role and the work of the president. It’s a function that interests me ”. Speaking perfectly Swiss German, the Vaudois has been known for ten years in the corridors of the Federal Palace as an affable personality and good contact. His objective as president is “to succeed in finding good internal cohesion”.
In December, he also said to himself that Damien Cottier had ambitions. This Monday it is done, since he announced in “Le Temps” to be a candidate. The Neuchâtelois was for a long time the personal advisor of Didier Burkhalter, before joining the National Council in 2019. Admittedly, he recognizes that it is a little early perhaps to claim the post, but his predecessor had only sat there since. three years. “I would take care to constantly take care of the cohesion of the group, he notes, and to make sure that everyone finds their place and feels good there”.
“From a liberal point of view, competition is positive”
In Bern, the French-speaking parliamentarians believe that by virtue of the alternation, the turn has come for a Romand to occupy this position. The last to have done so was Pascal Couchepin, twenty-five years ago. However, by leaving for the front with two candidates, the French-speaking region risks division. For Damien Cottier, it’s fair game: “We are in a democracy, he explains in” Le Temps “, there is no private preserve. (…) With Olivier Feller, we have very good contact. He was also my “godfather” in Parliament following my election in 2019. We spoke regarding it openly. From a liberal point of view, the competition is positive ”.
This competition might however benefit the German-speaking candidates of Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher (PLR / SG) or Daniela Schneeberger (PLR / BL), who do not hide their interest in the post either.