Who will become Federal Councillor? Next top favorite cancels as Amherd's successor
The President of Switzerland's centrist party, Gerhard Pfister, is stepping down in the summer. He has now announced that he will not be taking over from Viola Amherd.
Image: sda
Benedikt Würth has been a member of the Council of States since 2019. He was considered the top favorite - but on 17 January he withdrew.
Image: sda
Isabelle Chassot has been a member of the Council of States since 2021. She was previously Director of the Federal Office of Culture from 2012 to 2021. In her political work, she is particularly committed to cultural policy, education and social integration. She has since announced that she will not be standing as a candidate.
Image: sda
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger has been a member of the Council of States for the Canton of Lucerne since 2019. She was a member of the National Council from 2015 to 2019. In her political work, she is particularly committed to a comprehensive education system, a sustainable tax policy, strengthening the welfare state and a balanced asylum and migration policy.
Image: KEYSTONE
Martin Candinas has been a member of the National Council since 2011. He was President of the National Council in 2022 and 2023. In his political work, he is particularly committed to promoting linguistic diversity, a sustainable energy policy, the development of peripheral regions, family policy with a focus on paternity leave and a strong cultural and media policy.
Image: sda
Heidi Z'graggen has been a member of the Council of States since 2019 and was a member of the cantonal government of Uri from 2004 to 2020. In her political work, she is particularly committed to the sovereignty of the cantons, sustainable spatial development, environmental protection and nature conservation as well as a future-oriented energy and health policy.
Image: KEYSTONE
Pirmin Bischof has been a member of the Council of States since 2011. He is particularly concerned with economic and foreign policy issues.
Image: KEYSTONE
Philipp Matthias Bregy has announced that he is currently not interested in running for the Federal Council, but is interested in the party presidency.
Image: Keystone
The President of Switzerland's centrist party, Gerhard Pfister, is stepping down in the summer. He has now announced that he will not be taking over from Viola Amherd.
Image: sda
Benedikt Würth has been a member of the Council of States since 2019. He was considered the top favorite - but on 17 January he withdrew.
Image: sda
Isabelle Chassot has been a member of the Council of States since 2021. She was previously Director of the Federal Office of Culture from 2012 to 2021. In her political work, she is particularly committed to cultural policy, education and social integration. She has since announced that she will not be standing as a candidate.
Image: sda
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger has been a member of the Council of States for the Canton of Lucerne since 2019. She was a member of the National Council from 2015 to 2019. In her political work, she is particularly committed to a comprehensive education system, a sustainable tax policy, strengthening the welfare state and a balanced asylum and migration policy.
Image: KEYSTONE
Martin Candinas has been a member of the National Council since 2011. He was President of the National Council in 2022 and 2023. In his political work, he is particularly committed to promoting linguistic diversity, a sustainable energy policy, the development of peripheral regions, family policy with a focus on paternity leave and a strong cultural and media policy.
Image: sda
Heidi Z'graggen has been a member of the Council of States since 2019 and was a member of the cantonal government of Uri from 2004 to 2020. In her political work, she is particularly committed to the sovereignty of the cantons, sustainable spatial development, environmental protection and nature conservation as well as a future-oriented energy and health policy.
Image: KEYSTONE
Pirmin Bischof has been a member of the Council of States since 2011. He is particularly concerned with economic and foreign policy issues.
Image: KEYSTONE
Philipp Matthias Bregy has announced that he is currently not interested in running for the Federal Council, but is interested in the party presidency.
Image: Keystone
Following Viola Amherd's announcement that she will step down at the end of the year, the carousel of candidates is spinning. These politicians could take over her office.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- Viola Amherd has surprisingly announced her resignation from the Federal Council at the end of March 2025.
- Now the question arises: who could succeed her?
- Political scientist Sarah Bütikofer explains to blue News who could be a candidate.
A bang in Bern: Viola Amherd has surprisingly announced her resignation. The centrist Federal Councillor will leave office at the end of March 2025. Who could be her successor?
Four people are at the forefront:
- Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger (60)
- Martin Candinas (44)
- Heidi Z'graggen (58)
- Pirmin Bischof (65)
Gerhard Pfister announced his resignation as leader of the Center Party at the beginning of the year. It is an open secret that he has ambitions for a seat on the Federal Council. On Saturday, however, he announced that he would not be running to succeed Federal Councillor Viola Amherd.
Philipp Matthias Bregy, National Councillor from Valais and leader of the Center Party, has also decided against running. In an interview with the "NZZ am Sonntag" newspaper, however, the Valaisan expressed his interest in the party presidency.
He has decided that a candidacy for the Federal Council is "out of the question for him at the moment", says Bregy. He will only experience the first years of his eight and three-year-old children's lives once.
When asked by blue News, political scientist Sarah Bütikofer explained that Isabelle Chassot would be a candidate because she "has made a name for herself as PUK president." In the meantime, however, Chassot has already withdrawn.
The political scientist brings Andrea Gmür into play as another promising candidate. The Member of the Council of States for the Canton of Lucerne was a member of the National Council from 2015 to 2019.
Bütikofer continues: "Heidi Z'graggen would be very well qualified because she has already been a member of the cantonal government." Z'graggen wanted to become a member of the Federal Council six years ago, but then lost out to Viola Amherd. For Bütikofer, this is not an obstacle: "Karin Keller-Sutter was only elected at the second attempt".
"He represents a new generation"
Benedikt Würth has canceled. The St. Gallen Councillor of States (56) was considered one of the top favorites. He was said to have great ambitions. Würth withdrew from the race on January 17. "Becoming a Federal Councillor is no longer in my life plans," he told the Keystone-SDA news agency when asked.
"The topic is off the table for me. I feel extremely comfortable in my current political and professional duties and will continue to pursue them with great commitment. I will therefore not be standing for the vacant seat on the Federal Council."
Pirmin Bischoff, a member of the Council of States from Solothurn, is still a possibility. In terms of age, however, he is at the upper limit.
Martin Candinas (Graubünden) is an option for the National Council. Bütikofer says of Candinas: "He is interested in the office of Federal Councillor. With him there would be a change, someone younger. He would be interesting for the center because he would represent a new generation. He has good qualifications, is very popular, was President of the National Council and has a good reputation," explains Bütikofer.
