Who will become Federal Councillor? Top favorite cancels as Amherd's successor
The president of Switzerland's centrist party, Gerhard Pfister, is stepping down in the summer. He announced this last week. Will he now take 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 canceled.
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 focuses in particular on economic and foreign policy issues.
Image: KEYSTONE
Philipp Matthias Bregy has been a member of the National Council since 2019, where he actively supports the accommodation industry and securing the special VAT rate.
Image: Keystone
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
The president of Switzerland's centrist party, Gerhard Pfister, is stepping down in the summer. He announced this last week. Will he now take 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 canceled.
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 focuses in particular on economic and foreign policy issues.
Image: KEYSTONE
Philipp Matthias Bregy has been a member of the National Council since 2019, where he actively supports the accommodation industry and securing the special VAT rate.
Image: Keystone
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
After Viola Amherd announced her resignation 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?
Seven people are at the forefront:
- Gerhard Pfister (62)
- Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger (60)
- Martin Candinas (44)
- Heidi Z'graggen (58)
- Pirmin Bischof (65)
- Isabelle Chassot (59)
- Philipp Matthias Bregy (46).
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.
When asked by blue News, political scientist Sarah Bütikofer explained that Isabelle Chassot would also be a candidate because she "has made a name for herself as PUK president." However, Chassot has since declined, and Andrea Gmür has also brought the political scientist into play.
Bütikofer continues: "Heidi Z'graggen would be very well qualified because she was already a member of the cantonal government." Z'graggen wanted to become a Federal Councillor 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 is still a possibility. In terms of age, however, he is at the upper limit.
Martin Candinas and Philipp Matthias Bregy are options in the National Council. Bütikofer says of Candinas: "He is interested in the Federal Council. There would be a change with him, 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. Also
