On March 12, Switzerland will hold elections to fill the vacant position left by Viola Amherd, and the spotlight is on Christoph Blocher. The influential figure of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has made waves by asserting he could be right for the head of the Department of Defence (VBS). This bold declaration was made during his appearance on the show "Tele Blocher," where he argued against the necessity of selecting a candidate solely from the Mitte party.
Blocher, now 84, stated, "Ich selber würde die Aufgabe übernehmen," underlining both his readiness for the role and his belief he possesses the required capabilities to steer the department until 2027. He criticized the idea of adhering strictly to the candidate selections of the Mitte party as "Blödsinn," emphasizing instead the importance of electing the best fit for the job.
Reactions from political counterparts have varied significantly following Blocher’s remarks. Thierry Burkart, the President of the FDP, firmly rejected the notion of loosening party allegiance, stating, "Sofern die Mitte unserer Forderung nachkommt und am 21. Februar mindestens zwei valable Kandidierende präsentiert, hält sich die FDP an das Ticket." This indicates the FDP's intention to follow protocol as long as the Mitte party meets its obligations.
Lisa Mazzone, Green Party President, echoed similar sentiments, reinforcing the position of entitlement based on party strength: "Die Mitte hat, wie die Grünen, aufgrund der Parteistärke Anspruch auf einen Sitz. Wir stellen das nicht infrage." This reflects the common political view of securing representation based on electoral strength.
On the opposite side of the political spectrum, criticism was swift. Jon Pult, representing the Social Democrats (SP), did not hold back, labeling Blocher's ambitions as the "peinliche und lächerliche Aktion eines 84-Jährigen," highlighting the skepticism around his motives and relevance as his political influence wanes. His comments seem to suggest Blocher is reaching for attention more than practical leadership.
Mazzone’s and Burkart's remarks suggest there will be considerable resistance within the parliament to Blocher's suggestion of diversifying the candidates beyond the Mitte party's nomination. Jürg Grossen, the Green Liberals’ President, maintained caution, stating "Stand heute, kann ich mir die Wahl eines Politikers aus einer anderen Partei nicht vorstellen," which reaffirms the idea of respecting party lines during such elections, albeit leaving room for interpretation when it came time for the vote.
Despite internal party dynamics, Blocher’s declaration does stir the pot. Speculations among political analysts indicate he may be trying to divert attention away from potential candidates Markus Ritter and Martin Pfister, who are more aligned with the Mitte agenda. Some insiders interpret his strategy as not just self-advancement, but also as maneuvering to consolidate support for Ritter, whom the SVP might endorse when the chips are down.
With varied reactions and speculations as the election day approaches, it remains to be seen how Blocher's bold claims and the other party responses play out. His experience undoubtedly contributes to the conversation surrounding leadership positions within the Swiss government, but will it translate to votes?
Whatever the outcome, Christoph Blocher's audacious candidacy has certainly sparked discussion and opened the doors for potential shifts within the Swiss political arena, balancing tradition against the modern dynamics of coalition politics.