In recent weeks, national councilor Céline Amaudruz has regularly distanced herself from her own party. Is the Genevan still in her place as vice-president of the Swiss SVP? The Forum show asked him the question.
We knew Céline Amaudruz to be more liberal than her party on several social issues, but in recent days, she has been loudly proclaiming her differences. Some party colleagues say they are “annoyed” by his strong positions.
As vice-president of the SVP, she is one of the spokespersons of her party, who would be expected to defend the official line. But on the contrary, Céline Amaudruz accepts her disagreements. And this questions some of his people, who confirmed it to RTS. Invited Friday on the Forum show, the main interested party defends herself.
The main interested party first wants to clarify things. Certainly, in form, she “does not always agree”, but in substance, she assures that she shares “90%, even 95% of the ideas” of her party.
>> Listen to the full interview with Céline Amaudruz in Forum:
What can we say about his reaction to the resignation on Wednesday of Federal Councilor Viola Amherd? In the Forum program, the national advisor went so far as to say: “I hope that it was not the press release (from the Swiss UDC) which made Viola Amherd take this decision”. A press release which precisely demanded the resignation of the latter.
>> Read about it: The UDC demands the resignation of Viola Amherd, believing that she is mismanaging the army
A UDC parliamentarian contacted by RTS and who wishes to remain anonymous expresses his incomprehension regarding such a statement. “The party had worked on the call for the resignation of Viola Amherd, it had reached an agreement… and she dissociated herself from it. This is not correct”, he murmurs.
Remaining fair play, “an essential quality”
Fundamentally, however, Céline Amaudruz believes she has remained in “total phase with her party”. She also criticized the resigning Minister of Defense, who according to her, “damaged the internal security of the country”.
I am transparent with my electorate. I’m not going to lie
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The Geneva resident nevertheless does not compromise on the “respect” to be adopted towards a federal councilor who leaves her functions. This is why she recognized Viola Amherd’s commitment, she explains. “Once the match is over, you have to be able to step back and show fair play,” she continues.
But shouldn’t this figure in the French-speaking UDC show a duty of reserve, as some of his colleagues suggest? “I am transparent with my electorate. I am not going to lie,” says the main interested party. And then, “if this no longer corresponds to the party’s expectations”, the Geneva resident says she is ready to leave her place as vice-president (which she has held since 2016), to anyone who thinks she can “do better” than her. .
Despite critical voices within the party, no one in French-speaking Switzerland openly questions the place of Céline Amaudruz. For its support, the UDC has everything to gain from a vice-president who contrasts from time to time with her leadership, sometimes disconnected from the base of the party and from French-speaking Switzerland.
Future candidate for the Federal Council?
For some, her more liberal positions on social issues, such as women’s access to the job market, place her in pole position to one day hope to reach the Federal Council. Indeed, the ideal candidate must not only please his political party, but also give assurances to other parties.
French-speaking, she would be in good line to replace Guy Parmelin, the dean of the position. But when asked the question, Céline Amaudruz says she is simply devoting herself to her “role as vice-president” for the moment.
Her style of leadership, she is convinced, is also what allowed the French-speaking UDC to have such success. “I say what I do and I do what I say” and “I’m not going to change the way I do things,” she finally insists.
Radio subject: Romain Carrupt
Adaptation web: Doreen Enssle
