Marieke Kruit well on her way to president of the city of Bern

Published on November 24, 2024 at 8:38 p.m. / Modified on November 25, 2024 at 08:30.

Big sensation on the evening of the first round of the municipal elections in the city of Bern. Does the outgoing mayor still have the slightest chance of saving the chair he has occupied for eight years? In the race for the highest executive post in the federal capital, the Green Free List (VLL) Alec von Graffenried totaled only 26.4% of the voters’ votes, far behind his socialist colleague, Marieke Kruit. With 46.5% of the votes, this clearly widened the gap. While the two other contenders for mayor, the Green Liberal Melanie Mettler (17.8%) and the UDC Janosch Weyermann (9.3%) are left at a good distance.

Will there be a second round, in January 2025, or will the outgoing mayor give up on his own from a race that seems difficult? Impossible to say: Alec von Graffenried made a very brief appearance during the announcement of the results, dodging questions. But it is entirely possible that he will be content with a position as municipal councilor for the next few years, especially since three out of five positions will go to novices. The situation would therefore be unprecedented, but that does not frighten Marieke Kruit: “With Alec, we have always worked together in a very professional manner and there is no reason for that to change.” And how does the head of Public Works and Transport explain her higher score in the polls? “I think I had a good campaign with my party, we really went out to meet the population and their concerns.”

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