Mo., Nov. 6th 2023
In the second round of the Council of States elections in the canton of Fribourg, three candidates will be competing against each other on November 12. The two incumbent members of the Council of States, Isabelle Chassot (center) and Johanna Gapany (FDP), are the favorites going into the race, while Alizée Rey (SP) is ready for a surprise.
SVP National Councillor Pierre-André Page’s decision not to take part in the second round of voting dominated the days following the first round. On October 22, Page came third in the Council of States elections. Without his withdrawal, there could have been an election campaign with four candidates. This would have diluted the conservative vote.
Chassot als Favoritin
The 58-year-old Isabelle Chassot, former State Councillor and former Director of the Federal Office of Culture, is considered the favorite. She received almost 7000 votes more than the runner-up in the first round of voting. However, she fell far short of an absolute majority.
Chassot has been a member of the small chamber for two years. Back then, she won the election to replace the retiring Christian Levrat (SP) against the Social Democrat Carl-Alex Ridoré.
The task is becoming more difficult for Johanna Gapany. In 2019, the 35-year-old from Bulle won the seat of former Councillor of States Beat Vonlanthen (CVP today, center). She is now well established in Bern, but some of her social positions could prevent voters from writing her name on the ballot paper alongside Isabelle Chassot.
Majority middle-class canton
Alizée Rey will benefit from a left-wing alliance that already existed before October 22. The agreement provided for the withdrawal of the lowest-placed candidate between the Green Party’s Gerhard Andrey and Rey. However, the 36-year-old SP candidate is less well-known than her two rivals.
Rey’s goal could be difficult to achieve, as Fribourg remains a predominantly conservative canton. The SVP ultimately emerged as the strongest party in the National Council race.
©Keystone/SDA
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