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ElectionsThe four papables at the Federal Council on the job to seduce the parties
The parties have started to audition the SVP and socialist candidates to succeed Ueli Maurer and Simonetta Sommaruga. No orders have been given yet.
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- Eric Felley, Christine Talos
Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, at the time of the assessment at the end of this first day of hearings.
ChTalos
Senators Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (JU) and Eva Herzog (BS) were very focused and a bit stressed this Tuesday afternoon in Bern. Indeed, just like the SVP candidates Albert Rösti (BE) and Hans-Ueli Vogt (ZH), the two socialist women have begun the delicate ballet of the hearings in order to seduce the parties with a view to the election to the Federal Council. They and they were received by the PLR, the UDC, the Liberal Greens and the Greens.
At the end of these first hearings at the UDC and with the Greens, the Jurassian did not hide a certain relief. “It was exciting in both groups, although I was more comfortable with the problems of the Greens than with those of the SVP,” she confided with a smile.
Still a lot to convince
She said she had put forward her “project for the so-called peripheral regions”, but also her way of working, especially in a minority government. But it’s too early to take stock, summarized Elisabeth Baume-Schneider since she still has to convince the rest of the parties next week. But is said to be confident. As for Eva Herzog, she remained very focused, barely giving the media a few words to say that “it was pleasant and very good”.
Eva Herzog after her hearing with the Greens.
The same Eva Herzog after her audition at the UDC.
E.Felley
No watchwords from the Greens
In the end, the Greens decided not to give any watchwords. “These were great auditions and the two candidates are eligible,” said Aline Trede, the leader of the Greens’ parliamentary group. “We talked in particular about the climate and European policy and both gave us satisfactory answers. Each member of the group will therefore vote in his soul and conscience,” added Geneva Senator Lisa Mazzone.
Lisa Mazzone during the press briefing for the Greens following the hearing of the two socialist candidates.
Ch.Talos
On the right side, at the end of his audition for the PLR group, Albert Rösti (UDC / BE) looked satisfied. His performance was greeted with loud applause. But he was content to state that he had “had an audition and that one should ask those who had auditioned him what they thought of it”.
No instructions at the PLR
That’s what happened shortly after. In front of the press, the leader of the PLR group, Damien Cottier (PLR / NE) indicated that the group had “taken note that the two candidates were eligible”. The group will not give instructions for voting: “everyone will choose freely”, he specified. He added that the group will audition the two socialist women next Tuesday, despite his party’s criticism of the PS for including a Romande on the ticket. According to the PLR, it would be unconstitutional to have a Latin majority in the Federal Council, unless it is “a short transition phase”.
The Vert’liberals also interviewed the two SVP candidates, particularly with regard to the climate and relations with the EU. The parliamentary group has decided that its votes will only go to the two official candidates to succeed Ueli Maurer.
The rest of the hearings will take place next Tuesday, a few hours before the actual election, which will take place on December 7 at 8 a.m.