Swiss SP Heavyweight Nordmann Wants to Succeed Berset
Published: Wednesday, Oct 4th 2023, 11:30
Mise à jour le : Vendredi, 13 octobre 2023, 14:12
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The candidacy of Roger Nordmann of the Waadtland SP National Council brings further movement to the race for the succession of Federal Councilor Alain Berset. Nordmann is seen as a political heavyweight, seeing himself as a "pan-Swiss Romand" and bridge builder. Nordmann is the first Western Swiss Social Democrat to join the race for the Federal Council. Before him, four German-speaking Swiss have already thrown their hats in the ring, namely Basel's government president and former National Councillor Beat Jans, National Councillors Jon Pult (GR) and Matthias Aebischer (BE) and Council of States member Daniel Jositsch (ZH). On Wednesday, the Lausanne native emphasized to the media in Bern that his candidacy was not that of a Romand, but rather a cross-linguistic and Swiss one. In light of the dramatic shift in times, there is no need for a Federal Council with regional interests. A third Western Swiss in the government is thus certainly possible. It can be expected that due to the French-speaking Swiss SP Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, German-speaking Swiss politicians are in the pole position. However, Nordmann's candidacy should not be underestimated. The 50-year-old is perfectly trilingual and has built up a large network in the Federal Palace. Nordmann has been the head of the SP Federal Palace faction for eight years. In total, he has been involved in politics in the large chamber since 2004. In June, he surprisingly stepped down from the Fraction Presidency. He did this in order to be elected to the Parliamentary Investigation Commission (PUK) which is examining the emergency merger of the major banks UBS and CS. However, Nordmann was unsuccessful in the race for the PUK Presidency. He also had to abandon his ambitions for a Council of States mandate twice. Nordmann emphasized that it was not his job to make predictions about his chances of being elected in his party and in the United Federal Assembly. "I'm taking a risk," he said. He had also proven in the past that he could handle defeat well. In any case, it was clear: "There is no human right to be a Federal Councilor." Nordmann highlighted his willingness to compromise in front of the media. "Bridges can overcome divides, so I always look for common ground with other political forces - even those that are far apart." He does not shy away from addressing difficult questions. In recent years, Nordmann has made a name for himself as an energy policymaker. However, his long-term chairmanship of the SP faction has given him insight into many other areas, he said. The country is facing complex problems, such as an aging population and the associated shortage of labor, which can be addressed through education. Significant investments are needed in energy and climate. Health insurance premiums are becoming increasingly burdensome, and there is a lack of personnel to meet growing needs. Furthermore, public discourse on the EU needs to become more positive. His motivation for the Federal Council candidacy is to find solutions, said Nordmann. For this, the analysis of others is important to him. He wants to proceed step by step and in the long term. "My instrument is not the magic wand, but the pilgrim's staff." Born on March 23, 1973 in Lausanne, Nordmann is married and has two children; his wife is Lausanne's Financial Controller, Florence Germond. Nordmann is known as a passionate cross-country skier, cyclist, ski tourer and writer. He admitted that as a Federal Councillor he would have less time for these activities. Nordmann announced his candidacy relatively late, citing the need to let the decision mature. In the state government, however, he wants to move forward. Switzerland can no longer afford to let decisions mature as long as they currently do. There needs to be a new determination and acceleration. The successor to Swiss Federal Councilor Alain Berset will be determined at the general election of the Swiss Federal Council on December 13th. Interested members of the Swiss People's Party (SP) can submit their candidacy until October 29th.
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