Politics · Switzerland · 1 day ago
Esther Friedli withdraws from race for Swiss Federal Council seat
Esther Friedli, a senator for the canton of St Gallen, will not seek a seat in Switzerland’s seven-member Federal Council at this time.
She says she wants to remain a senator and continue running her restaurant business.
The vacancy follows Guy Parmelin’s announced departure from the government.
Friedli had been seen as a strong possible candidate, but says her decision does not rule out a future bid.
Other potential contenders include Geneva lawmaker Céline Amaudruz and Zurich regional government member Nathalie Rickli, though neither has said whether she will run.
Friedli’s withdrawal may encourage other people who had held back because they thought she was difficult to beat.
Potential candidates can notify their cantonal parties by October 23, and the election is likely to take place on December 9.
Esther Friedli has withdrawn from consideration for a seat on Switzerland’s Federal Council.
She said she wants to remain a member of the Council of States for St. Gallen and continue running her restaurant business.
Her withdrawal may give other potential candidates a better chance of entering the race.
Céline Amaudruz and Nathalie Rickli are among those now in focus, but neither had said whether she would run.
Potential candidates can notify their cantonal parties by 23 October, and the election is expected on 9 December.
- Who
- Esther Friedli, a member of the Council of States for St. Gallen, has withdrawn from consideration.
- What
- She will not run for a seat on the Swiss Federal Council at this time.
- When
- She announced her decision on 9 October, according to SRF.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- She said she wants to remain a member of the Council of States for St. Gallen and continue running her restaurant business.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
she wanted very much to remain a member of the Council of States for the Canton of St. Gallen because she could achieve a lot there
Friedli announced to the portal Toggenburg 24 that she would not be available as a candidate.
Potential candidates can notify their cantonal parties of a possible candidacy.
The election of a new Federal Council member is expected to take place.
- Candidate
- Esther Friedli
- Current role
- Member of the Council of States for St. Gallen
- Other work
- Runs a restaurant business
- Potential candidates in focus
- Céline Amaudruz and Nathalie Rickli
- Candidate notification deadline
- 23 October
- Expected election date
- 9 December
Sources
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