SVP attacks SP’s seat in Solothurn Council of States
Published: Monday, Nov 13th 2023, 09:40
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In the canton of Solothurn, the SP and SVP are fighting for the vacant seat in the Council of States following the withdrawal of the FDP in the run-off election on November 19. National Councillor Christian Imark wants to win a seat in the Council of States for the SVP for the first time. National Councillor Franziska Roth wants to defend the seat for the SP.
The current SP seat is vacant after Roberto Zanetti, who has been a member of the Council of States for many years, did not run again. Roth, who received the second most votes behind Bischof in the first round of voting, wants to succeed him. The 57-year-old has the support of a cross-party committee made up of the SP, GLP and Greens.
This seat is being contested by 41-year-old Imark. His party has so far lost several attempts to win a seat in the Council of States. The SVP, which is the most popular party in the canton and holds two of Solothurn's six National Council seats, has never held a seat on the cantonal government.
Withdrawal of FDP, Greens and GLP
Imark is supported by the FDP, whose government councillor Remo Ankli withdrew his candidacy after a disappointing result in the first round of voting. The FDP also decided not to put forward a replacement candidate. National Councillor Felix Wettstein (Greens) and Dieter Künzli (GLP) also withdrew.
While Imark, as in the first round, can expect more support from rural areas, towns such as Olten and Solothurn are among Roth's strongholds. Imark's critics accuse him of not fitting into the Council of States as a fierce party politician. Roth's critics point out that the SP politician also lives in the city of Solothurn - alongside the already confirmed member of the Council of States Pirmin Bischof (center).
Experienced politicians
Roth and Imark are two shrewd politicians who have many years of experience in cantonal politics as well as in party and association work in addition to their National Council mandate.
How the centrist and FDP voters decide is likely to play a decisive role in the outcome of the election. How many eligible voters will take part in the second round of voting will also play a role.
©Keystone/SDA
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