Cantonal Councillor OW Cantonal Councillor Andreas Gasser (FDP) becomes Obwalden's highest councillor

The Obwalden cantonal parliament unanimously elected Andreas Gasser (FDP) as its president at the start of the new legislative period on Friday. The 66-year-old succeeds President Dominik Rohrer (center) by rotation.

The canton of Obwalden is one of the most beautiful and liveable places in Switzerland, said Gasser in his opening speech. "I hope that we will preserve this heritage, manage it and also develop it further. That we don't just think about tomorrow and short-term success, but have faith in the future like our ancestors did."

Gasser has been a member of the Obwalden parliament since 2014 and was elected Vice-President in 2023. He is retired and lives with his family in Lungern. When he took office, he brought the members of parliament a "Lungern cake" to "calm them down" should the debate get heated.

Hubert Schumacher (SVP) from Sarnen was elected as Vice President, Daniel Blättler (SVP) from Kerns as first vote counter, Albert Ambros (SP) from Giswil as second vote counter and Petra Rohrer (Center/GLP) from Sachseln as third vote counter.

"Obwalden residents stand up for each other"

In addition to the by-elections for individual committees, the election of the mayor and governor also took place. Government Councillor Christian Schäli (CSP) was elected mayor and Daniel Wyler (SVP) governor.

In his speech, Schäli emphasized the importance of a network. That networking is not just about "sending", but also about "receiving". It is therefore important to be open to concerns. Schäli added that Obwalden residents always stand up for each other. "And we always manage to quickly create new and sustainable threads where there is a need."

A total of five new cantonal councillors were sworn in. Franziska Kathriner (SVP, Sarnen), Alfred von Ah (Sarnen, SVP), Kristina Rötheli (SP, Sarnen), Marius Küchler (FDP, Kerns) and Severin Wallimann (SVP, Alpnach).

As in previous years, the strongest party in the 55-member Obwalden Cantonal Council is the Center/GLP with 21 seats. Followed by the SVP with 13, the FDP with 11, the SP with 6 and the CSP with 4 seats.