Evi Allemann has been a thoroughbred politician for over two decades
Published: Monday, Nov 20th 2023, 09:41
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At 45, Evi Allemann can already look back on a long political career. The Social Democrat is a permanent fixture in the canton of Berne, whether as a busy parliamentarian or now as a member of the cantonal government.
Allemann made headlines for the first time in April 1998 during the Bernese cantonal elections. At the age of 19, she was elected Switzerland's youngest cantonal parliamentarian.
In Bern City Hall, she was primarily involved in youth and education issues. She was also a member of the Justice Committee. This fitted in well with her law studies at the University of Bern, which she completed in 2003. Allemann was elected to the National Council in the same year.
She was a member of the Grand Chamber for 15 years. She was primarily perceived by the public as a transport and safety politician. During her time in the National Council, Allemann was President of VCS Switzerland and sat on the board of the Swiss Tenants' Association.
Change to the executive
Her National Council career came to an end in 2018 due to the party's internal term limits. However, Allemann was able to continue her political career seamlessly: She was elected to the Bernese cantonal government, succeeding her party colleague Barbara Egger.
The SP politician, who was once given the label "red Evi" by the tabloids, quickly grew into the role of magistrate. However, as Director of Home Affairs and Justice, she was rarely in the spotlight. She has yet to suffer any major defeats or scandals.
In February 2020, she achieved an unexpected success at the ballot box: after a highly emotional campaign, 53.5 percent of Bernese voters said yes to a transit site for foreign travellers in Wileroltigen - against the opposition of the village population.
In political circles, Allemann is described as pragmatic, sociable and ambitious. Critics sometimes accuse her of not being assertive enough and being somewhat colorless.
The Bernese is one of the founders of the Swiss Social Democratic Party's reform platform, which brings together social-liberal voices within the party. Allemann therefore belongs to the "right" wing of the party.
Allemann lives in Bern and is the mother of two school-age children. On vacation, the family often travels by train and bus along the edges of Europe.
Second attempt
This is the second time Allemann has put herself forward as a possible candidate for the Federal Council. A year ago, the Bernese candidate put herself forward as the successor to Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga.
At the time, her party had decidedly backed women candidates. In the end, Allemann did not make it onto the two-person ticket. She had to leave the seat to Eva Herzog, a member of the Council of States from Basel, and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, then a member of the Council of States from Jura.
With her second attempt, Allemann is taking the risk of failing again. That would cast a shadow over her otherwise seamless and determined political career.
©Keystone/SDA
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