Politologist: Thurnherr’s Resignation Opens Up New Field of Action
Published: Wednesday, Aug 16th 2023, 14:00
Updated At: Friday, Oct 13th 2023, 14:12
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The unexpected resignation of Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr could expand the scope of action of the parties in the next or next-but-one Federal Council elections. This is especially the case if the centre should overtake the FDP in the autumn, said political geographer Michael Hermann in an interview with the news agency Keystone-SDA. If the centre were to win more seats in the federal elections in the autumn than the FDP, then according to the previous logic of the FDP and SVP, it would have a claim to a second Federal Council seat, said Hermann. In this case, it could be interesting for the centre to give up its current Federal Chancellor seat to the Greens or the FDP. This would open up - even if Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis were to remain in office - further options in the event of a future FDP Federal Council resignation. And Thurnherr's departure could lead to an exciting situation with another field of action for the parties. Hope for the Greens As the Greens are unlikely to achieve their self-set goal of increasing their share of the vote in several consecutive elections, they would probably have no claim to a Federal Council seat in the near future, said Hermann. However, they could possibly hope for a Federal Chancellor seat if the FDP showed no interest in the post, as this would effectively mean giving up their claim to a second Federal Council seat. If the centre does not overtake the FDP, everything will probably remain the same. According to Hermann, this is still a likely scenario. After all, the parties currently represented in the Federal Council would have little interest in a power-sharing arrangement. Not a political office In principle, the party affiliation of a Federal Chancellor is not so important, except if the party is not represented in the Federal Council, said the political scientist. In this case, the position offers the possibility of having direct access to government business and the dynamics in the Federal Council despite not having a seat. A Federal Chancellor could not really shape much politically. He is responsible for strategic planning, but it is not primarily a political office but rather a kind of general secretary job in the Federal Chancellery. Thurnherr was a highly intelligent incumbent who actively lived out his role, said Hermann. He always had an overview of the events in the Federal Council and also caused a stir with his speeches.nnnnnnnnnn
©Keystone/SDA
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