Thurgau SVP and SP want to defend government seats
Published: Sunday, Mar 17th 2024, 07:20
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On April 7, the canton of Thurgau will appoint a new parliament and government council. The SVP and SP want to defend the seats of their retiring councillors. More than 1000 people are running for the 130 seats in the Grand Council. The SVP could further expand its dominant position there.
The SVP, SP, Greens, EVP and Aufrecht are vying for the seats of Monika Knill (SVP) and Cornelia Komposch (SP), who are stepping down. The three current councillors Walter Schönholzer (FDP), Urs Martin (SVP) and Dominik Diezi (center) are running again.
The SVP is sending 44-year-old Denise Neuweiler, Cantonal Councillor and Mayor of Langrickenbach TG, into the race to defend her second seat in the five-member government. For the Social Democrats, 58-year-old Sonja Wiesmann, Cantonal Councillor and Mayor of Wigoltingen, is entering the ring. The two candidates are facing three challengers: Sandra Reinhart (Greens), Christian Stricker (EPP) and Pascal Singh (Aufrecht).
The composition of Thurgau's five-member government shows remarkable continuity. Since the 1980s, there has been a magic formula that has so far withstood all attacks: The SVP claims two seats, the FDP, the Center Party and the SP one each. It would come as no surprise if this magic formula remains valid for another four years.
108 candidates stand as incumbents
The cantonal parliament elections will also take place in Thurgau on April 7. 1016 people are running for the 130 seats in the Grand Council in the five districts. 108 cantonal councillors are standing for re-election as incumbents.
The SVP is currently by far the strongest party (45 seats), followed by the FDP (18) and the Center Party (18). Since the elections four years ago, the SP, with 14 seats, is now only the fifth strongest force behind the Greens, who gained 6 seats at the time and now have 15 members of parliament.
The SVP has set itself the goal of emerging from the elections with at least 50 seats. In the fall of 2023, it already shone in the federal elections. The SVP was the party with the most voters in all 80 municipalities in Thurgau and increased its share of the vote in the canton to 40.3%.
©Keystone/SDA
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