Greens send Andrey into the race for Federal Council seat
Published: Friday, Nov 10th 2023, 23:50
Updated At: Friday, Nov 10th 2023, 23:54
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Fribourg National Councillor Gerhard Andrey is set to become the Greens' first Federal Councillor. The party wants to use him to create majorities in the Federal Parliament and make the climate heard. The Green parliamentary group officially confirmed his candidacy for the Federal Council on Friday. It is the party's only candidacy.
Group President Aline Trede (NR/BE) told the media in Bern that the group had made the decision clearly and unanimously. Andrey is "sustainable entrepreneurship personified" and is known in the Federal Parliament as a bridge builder. Majorities could be created with him. He is also the man against stagnation.
He would also be the only digitalization expert in the Federal Council if he were elected, Trede continued. As a farmer's son, he first became a carpenter and continued his education. He now runs a company with 200 employees - making him the only Federal Councillor with management experience.
Living concordance
"This candidacy is an offer to the other parties, an offer to live concordance," said Andrey. Because this is a success factor for Switzerland and a necessity.
According to the 47-year-old, he is keen to work in the state government for an intact natural environment, a society based on solidarity, a sustainable circular economy and a good life for current and future generations. He contributes to solutions and has worked with all parliamentary groups and colleagues from all parties in recent years. He would also contribute his entrepreneurial flair and digital expertise to the state government.
The Greens' strategy is not directed against any one party, but makes a mathematical and political claim. He also wanted to give a voice to the quarter of the population that is currently not represented in government.
Magic formula not justified
With Andrey, the party wants to contest one of the two FDP seats in the government in the Federal Council elections on December 13. In her opinion, the magic formula is no longer up to date and the FDP is overrepresented. "This situation is untenable," said Trede.
With a voter share of 14.3%, the FDP has reached a historic low. The Greens, on the other hand, had the second-largest parliamentary group in its history and 9.8% of the electorate - but no Federal Council seat to date. Switzerland now urgently needs a strong voice for climate protection, and the general election of the Federal Council is an opportunity for change, said Trede.
No objections from the examination board
The examination committee examined the candidate in detail and found no objections to his candidacy, said the president of the examination committee, Adèle Thorens Goumaz (Councillor of States, VD). She "warmly" recommended Andrey's candidacy.
Numerous prominent Green politicians had previously withdrawn from the race, including Green Party President Balthasar Glättli (ZH), Councillor of States Lisa Mazzone (GE), Ticino National Councillor Greta Gysin, National Councillor Irène Kälin (AG), Glarus Councillor of States Mathias Zopfi and Bernese ex-Government Councillor Bernhard Pulver. However, Bernese government councillor Christine Häsler also did not want to run, as did, according to media reports, the Zug National Councillor Manuela Weichelt.
On October 28, the party decided to contest the FDP seat in the general elections to the Federal Council.
©Keystone/SDA
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