Political parties FDP: Only Mühlemann and Vincenz-Stauffacher are standing for election
The FDP has received a joint application from Benjamin Mühlemann and Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher to succeed party president Thierry Burkart. It is a "strong application", the search committee announced after the application deadline.
21.08.2025, 00:06
21.08.2025, 00:46
SDA
The member of the Council of States from Glarus and the National Councillor from St. Gallen could thus lead the party as co-presidents for the first time. The search committee now wants to hold talks with the two. A hearing will be held by the Party Presidents' Conference (PPK) on September 10, according to the FDP press release. The PPK is expected to make an election recommendation by October 17 at the latest. The new chairmanship will be elected at the delegates' meeting on October 18.
46-year-old Benjamin Mühlemann has been a member of the Council of States for one and a half years and was previously a member of the cantonal government of Glarus for ten years, most recently as Landammann. 58-year-old Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher represents the canton of St. Gallen in the National Council and was former President of the FDP Women's Party.
Their shared values and good experiences of working together had prompted them to join forces, explained Vincenz-Stauffacher and Mühlemann in an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency on Wednesday on the grounds of the Swiss Wrestling Festival. "Our positions overlap on most points," said the 46-year-old member of the Council of States and former mayor of Glarus.
While Mühlemann praises Vinzenz-Stauffacher's assertiveness, the St. Gallen native appreciates the Glarner's positive attitude and his drive. "I feel very comfortable working with him," explained the National Councillor. When asked about their personal motivation, both spoke of the "incredibly exciting tasks" that the party leadership entails.
Neuchâtel parliamentary group leader Damien Cottier was also discussed as a possible candidate, but he decided against it, as he announced in an interview with the ESH media published on Wednesday evening. Mass-Voll President Nicolas Rimoldi had also announced his candidacy, but was considered to have no chance as he is no longer a party member.
