Parliamentary chambers now presided over by Herzog and Nussbaumer
Published: Monday, Dec 4th 2023, 19:41
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With the election of Eva Herzog and Eric Nussbaumer to the presidency, two SP members from the two Basel cantons will preside over the Federal Assembly next year. When they were elected in Bern on Monday, both the new President of the Council of States and the new "highest Swiss" in their respective councils performed above average.
Eric Nussbaumer (SP/BL) from Basel, who has been a member of the National Council since 2007, received 180 out of 192 valid votes in his election as the "highest Swiss citizen". The long-term average for the election of the President of the National Council is 155 votes.
The 63-year-old Nussbaumer succeeds Martin Candinas, a centrist National Councillor from Graubünden. Nussbaumer is the fifth President of the National Council from the Basel region and the SP's 25th overall since 1919.
61-year-old Herzog (SP/BS) received all 44 valid votes. This figure is also above average in a long-term comparison. The average number of votes for the election of the President of the Council of States is 42.1. To date, four Presidents of the Council of States have been elected unanimously with a maximum of 45 votes. This was last the case with the last President Häberli-Koller (center/TG). Herzog has been a member of the Council of States since 2019.
To date, the canton of Basel-Stadt has chaired the Council of States eight times. Regardless of gender, Herzog's election means that the city canton now holds the presidency of the small chamber for the ninth time.
The SP also holds the presidency of the Council of States for the tenth time since 1919. Herzog is the sixth woman - and the first woman from Basel - to hold the office. The 61-year-old follows in the footsteps of Josi Meier (1991), Francoise Saudan (2000), Erika Forster-Vannini (2009), Karin Keller-Sutter (2017) and, most recently, the Thurgau member of the Council of States Brigitte Häberli-Koller (2023).
"Crossing borders" and "filling in ditches"
The new President of the Council and the new President of the Council gave their inaugural speeches after their election. Nussbaumer's motto for his presidency is "Crossing borders - broadening horizons", as he said in a short speech. It is important to question one's own seemingly logical and entrenched position. "If you sometimes trample down your own mental garden fence, you will also find ways and solutions in the political discussion that are sustainable".
In her inaugural speech, Herzog focused on Switzerland's relationship with the EU and its appeal to democratic values. "The EU is first and foremost a guarantor of our fundamental values and of peace, which is what we also stand for," she told the members of the Council of States. "Our relations with the EU are good, but we are already noticing that they are eroding."
Herzog expressed his relief that the Federal Council intends to adopt a negotiating mandate by the end of the year. However, compromises are needed to conclude the negotiations.
The newly elected President of the Council of States also emphasized the centrality of democratic values. Democracy is under pressure as it does not provide quick solutions. Herzog also emphasized her focus on cities and their agglomerations. Three quarters of the Swiss population live in urban areas. "I want to close the political urban-rural divide."
Council offices are complete
The other members of the two federal councils were also appointed on Monday: The first Vice-President of the National Council, and therefore probably the highest-ranking Swiss woman in 2025, is Maja Riniker from the Free Democratic Party of Aargau. She was elected in the National Council with 177 out of 195 valid votes. The new second Vice-President of the upper chamber is Pierre-André Page (SVP) from Fribourg. He received 155 out of 173 valid votes. The bureaus of both chambers are now complete.
The Vice-Presidency of the Council of States has been filled by Andrea Caroni, an FDP politician from Ausserrhoden. Caroni was elected with 42 out of 42 valid votes. The politician from Ausserrhoden was already a vote counter in the Council of States last year. The Council of States elected Stefan Engler (center/GR) as second Vice-President.
©Keystone/SDA
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