National Council or Council of States: Is Burgener coming?
CAREER As an alpinist, Andreas Burgener has conquered the Eiger North Face. Now the director of Auto-Schweiz is aiming high politically: the man from Bellach is thinking about running for the National Council or Council of States. "I'll step into the breach if I have to," Andreas Burgener is quoted as saying in the Solothurner Zeitung. Although he is not (yet) a member of a party, [...]
"I'll step into the breach if I have to," Andreas Burgener is quoted as saying in the Solothurner Zeitung. Although he is not (yet) a member of a party, it is considered certain that he would enter the race for the SVP. The automotive industry has set itself the ambitious goal of bringing four candidates across Switzerland to the finish line in the federal elections on October 20, 2019.
Central president welcomes candidacy
Garagists and carrossiers have been absent from the dome of the Federal Parliament ever since Markus Hutter, a garagist from Winterthur, was the last car dealer to resign from the National Council in 2014. The AGVS is pleased about the ambitions from the top. Central President Urs Wernli has spoken to Andreas Burgener several times in recent weeks and months about his plans: "It would be very desirable for Andreas Burgener to run for office."
Real opportunities for the career changer
In the National Council, two former SVP representatives from the canton of Solothurn, Walter Wobmann and Christian Imark, are standing for re-election. Pirmin Bischof (CVP) and Roberto Zanetti (SP) are currently sitting in the Small Chamber - Pirmin Bischof is considered a possible successor to Doris Leuthard in the Federal Council, Roberto Zanetti has not yet said whether he wants to continue. If both run again, it will be difficult for any challenger. If there is a vacancy, the chances for new heads increase - even for a political career changer like Andreas Burgener.
