Might Thomas Aeschi become leader of the parliamentary SVP party?

Following the announcement last Friday afternoon that Adrian Amstutz was to stand down from his position of leader of the parliamentary SVP party in Bern, the question now arises as to who will succeed him. Could Thomas Aeschi, one of three members of the National Council who represent Zug in Bern, take over? In an interview with journalists he has admitted he would very much like to.
 
63-year-old Amstutz has been leader of the 74-man SVP parliamentary party since 2012. The announcement of his successor will be made as early as Friday 17 November. What was surprising was that the parliamentary party was only informed about Amstutz’ decision one hour before it went public. This gives rise to speculation that the party leadership has already given careful consideration as to who might take over, with Thomas Aeschi of Baar, a known favourite. Indeed, the 38-year-old economist, who holds an MPA (master’s degree in public administration) from Harvard, is not only deputy leader of the national SVP party but also deputy leader of the parliamentary SVP party. Regular readers will also know that in 2015 he stood for election to the Federal Council, supported by former federal councillor Christoph Blocher, but was defeated. Aeschi is perhaps best known locally for his opposition to a planned container-style asylum-seeker centre on a site in the centre of Baar. Accompanied by Simonetta Sommaruga, the federal councillor who heads the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police, he went on a fact-finding mission to Eritrea last year to see if the situation there warranted so many people leaving and seeking asylum, concluding in no way was it an “African North Korea”.
 
Speaking to journalists when asked about whether he would be prepared to stand as leader of the SVP parliamentary party, Aeschi said Amstutz had done a splendid job and he would be a hard act to follow but he felt he was up to it.
 
As to others who might compete against him for this post, Natalie Rickli, who represents Zurich in the National Council, ruled out standing as she had only recently set up her own business. Fellow member for Zurich, Gregor Rutz, said he would have to consider the situation very carefully before he stood as he had only recently set up his second business. It is known that former member of the National Council and current member of the Council of Europe, Alfred Heer, has much support within the SVP parliamentary party and confessed the job would be “interesting” but he would be quite happy with Aeschi as leader. Other names mentioned included Heinz Brand of Graubünden and Céline Amaudruz of Geneva, though Hannes Germann of Schaffhausen, who sits in the Council of States (the smaller of the two parliamentary chambers in Bern but with equal status) ruled himself out.
 
As to how Aeschi saw his chances, all he would say was that it depended on who the other candidates were.
Potential candidates have until the end of this month to declare whether they will stand.