Federal Council candidate Ritter on the DDPS"I've never left a house that wasn't tidy"
Sven Ziegler
28.1.2025
Markus Ritter, President of the Farmers' Union, is about to take the next step in his career: he wants to become a member of the Federal Council. He announced his plans on Tuesday.
28.01.2025, 09:46
28.01.2025, 11:30
Sven Ziegler
No time? blue News summarizes for you
Markus Ritter wants to become a member of the Federal Council.
He officially announced his nomination on Tuesday.
Markus Ritter, the centrist National Councillor from St. Gallen and President of the Farmers' Association, is considered an influential parliamentarian.
Yes, he wants to. Markus Ritter is running to succeed Viola Amherd. "Ever since I've been in politics, my motivation has been to take on responsibility," Ritter told the media in St. Gallen on Tuesday. Strong leadership is needed.
Until a few days ago, he could not have imagined a commitment outside of the farmers' association. "The decision was very difficult for me," says Ritter. He had put his heart and soul into building up the farmers' association over the past 12 years.
It was therefore not an easy decision to leave the association. It was also important for him to know that his succession to the presidency had been arranged.
"DDPS faces major challenges"
The decision had only matured in the past few days. He would not have run if the top favorites had not declined. "Martin Candinas' rejection was a big blow," says Ritter. The center has many capable people. "In addition to Gerhard Pfister and Martin Candinas, we have at least ten other capable people."
Now it is no longer a question of who wants to take office, but who can take office. "This really is a special situation."
It seems clear to Ritter which department he would have to take over in the event of an election: "The DDPS is facing major challenges. Especially in times of uncertainty, we need a well-functioning army." However, this does not seem to deter him: "If I am elected, I will take on these tasks with the same energy as I did as National Councillor and President of the Farmers' Association."
However, Ritter does not want to leave the department again as quickly as possible. "I've never left a house in my life that wasn't tidy. As long as the DDPS is not in top condition, I would stay there."
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10.40 a.m.
Media conference over
That concludes the media conference. A summary will follow shortly.
10.35 a.m.
"The decision was very difficult for me"
"The decision was very difficult for me," says Ritter. He has put his heart and soul into building up the farmers' association over the past 12 years. It was therefore not an easy decision to leave the association. It was also important for him to know that his succession to the presidency had been arranged.
10.33 a.m.
Candidacy without rejection of the top favorites?
"No," says Ritter. "The rejection of Martin Candinas was a big blow." The center has many capable people. "In addition to Gerhard Pfister and Martin Candinas, we have at least ten other capable people."
Now it is no longer a question of who wants to take office, but who can take office. "This really is a special situation."
10.27 a.m.
St. Gallen overrepresented in the Federal Council?
"We have an unusual situation. We're not just discussing an election to the Federal Council. We are discussing an allocation of departments," says Ritter. He has never experienced this before in his political career. The question that matters now is who is up to the challenge of the DDPS. That is why he has decided to run for the office, even if the canton of St. Gallen is already represented in the national government by President Karin Keller-Sutter.
10.25 a.m.
"I enjoyed being in the military"
"I enjoyed being in the military," says Ritter, when asked about his time in the service. He completed recruit school together with Zurich FDP National Councillor Beat Walti. He didn't pursue a military career because he had to take on responsibility on his farm.
10.19 a.m.
VBS only as a stopover?
When asked about a planned change of department within the Federal Council, Ritter says: "In my life, I have never left a house that wasn't tidy. As long as the DDPS is not in top condition, I would stay there."
10.16 a.m.
"I am standing as a candidate for election to the Federal Council"
The 57-year-old now thanks his family and his party for their support. He concludes with the words: "I am standing as a candidate for election to the Federal Council."
10.15 a.m.
"The DDPS faces major challenges"
It also seems clear to Ritter which department he would have to take over should he be elected: "The DDPS is facing major challenges. Especially in times of uncertainty, we need a well-functioning army." However, this does not seem to deter him: "If I am elected, I will take on these tasks with the same energy as I did as National Councillor and President of the Farmers' Union."
10.12 a.m.
Now Ritter is speaking: "I am happy to take on difficult tasks"
Now Markus Ritter is speaking. "Ever since I've been in politics, my motivation has been to take on responsibility," says Ritter. Strong leadership is needed. Until a few days ago, he could not have imagined working outside the farmers' association. Today, the farmers' association is in an excellent position. He therefore sees himself in a position to take on responsibility in the DDPS as well. "Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy taking on difficult tasks and have always been up to them," says Ritter.
10.07 a.m.
"Ritter is the center forward"
Councillor of States Benedikt Würth has now taken the floor. "The election of the Federal Council is very important for our country," he says. That's why the country needs a strong person in office. He describes the requirements as follows: A Federal Councillor must have a quick grasp, a strong will to shape and implement policy and strong communication skills. "I know Markus Ritter. He fulfills all of these points," says Würth. And adds: "In football, you would say: Ritter is the center forward with the great water displacement."
10.04 a.m.
Ritter runs for the Federal Council
Franziska Steiner-Kaufmann, President of Mitte St. Gallen, welcomes everyone present. "The cantonal parties have a duty to check whether they have the right people to run for the Federal Council," she says. We want to take responsibility for our country in this very tense world situation.
"We are proposing National Councillor Markus Ritter as a candidate for the Federal Council," she says. So it's definite: Markus Ritter is running to succeed Viola Amherd.
10 a.m.
Media conference begins
Now it's time for the media conference to begin.
9.50 a.m.
Ritter is already seated
Markus Ritter at the media conference at Dienstsg
blue News
Markus Ritter is ready and seated 10 minutes before the start of the media conference. What is he about to announce?
9.45 a.m.
Will Ritter be a candidate for the Federal Council?
From 10 a.m., Mitte St. Gallen provides information on Markus Ritter's possible candidacy for the Federal Council. The farmers' president himself has already announced his interest. blue News reports live from St. Gallen.