Left-wingers want to regain majority in government in Basel
Published: Sunday, Nov 3rd 2024, 10:40
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The second round of the Basel cantonal elections on November 24 will see an exciting duel between the Green Liberals and the Greens. While the GLP wants to defend its seat in the executive with Esther Keller, the Greens want to regain the red-green majority they lost four years ago with Anina Ineichen.
In the first round of voting on October 20, six of the seven current members of the Basel-Stadt government were re-elected. Building and Transport Director Esther Keller (GLP), who has been in office since the beginning of 2021, fell short of the absolute majority by over 1,300 votes. The 39-year-old ran alone without the support of other parties and will have to go to the second ballot on November 24.
Grand Councillor Anina Ineichen (Greens) received just under 3,500 votes less than Keller. Under the motto "Seize the opportunity", the 38-year-old now wants to win back the 16-year red-green majority in the Basel executive that she lost in the 2020 elections. Back then, Keller made the leap into the executive instead of a candidate from the Green Alliance.
For four years now, Keller has occupied a central position between three Social Democrats and three government councillors from the middle-class parties LDP and Mitte.
Large mobilization expected
Ineichen is supported by the SP and the left-wing party Basta, while Keller is officially backed by the center, among others. Keller's committee also includes other middle-class exponents from the FDP and LDP. Not always because they are convinced by Keller, but primarily because they want to prevent a red-green majority in the executive and see Keller as the "lesser of two evils politically".
The candidate from the FDP, which has not been represented in the government for four years, even withdrew from the race for the second round of voting in favor of Keller. However, Keller's committee also includes former SP exponents.
Ineichen's chances are intact, especially as there are still votes to be held in the second round of elections on November 24. Among other things, Swiss voters will decide on CHF 4.9 billion for six highway expansion projects, including the controversial Basel Rhine Tunnel. There will also be a vote at cantonal level on the right to vote for foreign nationals.
A high level of mobilization is generally expected, which always benefits the left in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Nevertheless, Keller goes into the race as the favorite with the incumbent bonus.
©Keystone/SDA
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