SVP and SP defend seats in the Thurgau government
Published: Sunday, Apr 7th 2024, 15:40
Updated At: Sunday, Apr 7th 2024, 18:01
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In the Thurgau elections, the government was elected in the first round of voting. Denise Neuweiler (SVP) and Sonja Wiesmann (SP) defended the vacant seats of their parties. The three previous government councillors from the center, FDP and SVP were re-elected.
The two new candidates from the SVP and SP achieved an absolute majority in the first round of voting. The 45-year-old Neuweiler received 28,022 votes, while the 58-year-old Wiesmann won 24,237 votes.
Although the SVP is clearly the party with the most voters in Thurgau, the election at the first attempt was not a foregone conclusion, Denise Neuweiler told the Keystone-SDA news agency. "The votes could have been split, which would have made a second ballot necessary."
The newly elected SVP government councillor sees the canton facing numerous challenges. Neuweiler's most pressing issues include digitalization, security and finances, as well as rising pupil numbers and biodiversity.
Dominik Diezi scored the most votes
"Equal opportunities and social participation are issues that I have always championed," said Sonja Wiesmann shortly after her election. She will now also campaign for these issues in particular in the Thurgau government. She is not focusing on a specific department, but is open to all tasks, Wiesmann continued.
The best result of all candidates for the cantonal government was achieved by Dominik Diezi (center) with 37,275 votes, while his counterparts Walter Schönholzer (FDP) and Urs Martin (SVP) received 31,692 and 30,567 votes respectively. Voter turnout was 30.1 percent. Four years ago, the turnout was slightly higher at 32.4 percent.
No change since the 1980s
This means that the Thurgau government will continue to be made up of two representatives from the SVP and one member each from the center, FDP and SP. This magic formula has been in place since the 1980s.
Of the challengers, Sandra Reinhart (Greens) achieved 18,449 votes. As expected, she was disappointed to have missed out on joining the government, but was nevertheless able to take positives from the election campaign.
"As a candidate, I was able to show that we also know our way around the core issues of the Greens and are strongly committed to them," she said.
©Keystone/SDA
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