The president of the Center Gerhard Pfister, who will leave office this summer, flies to the aid of Viola Amherd on Sunday at 7:30 p.m., while the UDC demanded the resignation of the centrist federal councilor for her management of the army.
Viola Amherd finds herself under fire from the UDC for dysfunctions within her department and in the army, for example delays in the introduction of equipment. Reacting in the 7:30 p.m., Gerhard Pfister considers that this attitude of asking for the resignation of a federal councilor is “dangerous”, contrary to the Swiss system and constitutes a “violation of Swiss rules and institutions”.
In the eyes of the Zug national councilor, successes are to be credited to the Valaisanne: “She succeeded in convincing the population of the need for new combat aircraft. She also succeeded in ensuring that Parliament increased the funds for the army.”
Gerhard Pfister admits, however, that Parliament must ask itself how to improve the management of certain projects within the Federal Department of Defense. However, he recalls the significant number of files in progress, the vast majority of which are “in order”.
>> A lire : The UDC demands the resignation of Viola Amherd, believing that she is mismanaging the army
Rification with NATO
A supporter of strict neutrality, the UDC also takes a dim view of Viola Amherd’s desire to bring Switzerland closer to NATO. A coordination with the alliance nevertheless proves necessary, maintains Gerhard Pfister. He says our country is capable of defending itself “for about a month”
Conclusion: “We need help. Where does this support come from? It comes from Europe and NATO. Switzerland must ask itself what its contribution is to a common defense in Europe”, argues he.
Heading for the Federal Council?
After nine years at the head of his party, Gerhard Pfister said on Monday that it was “the right time” to hand over the baton. The name of the person who will succeed the Zougois will be known in June following an assembly of delegates which will take place in Bienne.
>> Also read: Gerhard Pfister will leave the presidency of the Center this summer
But this withdrawal does not mean retirement. In Bern, it is also rumored that Gerhard Pfister aspires to sit on the Federal Council. The 62-year-old politician would therefore have abandoned the presidency of his party to prepare his candidacy. Invited by the RTS to express what his true intentions are, he hits the mark. However, he assures that he will answer the question if one day it arises.
As a reminder, Gerhard Pfister was the spearhead of the fusionin 2021, between its formation, the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), and the Bourgeois Democratic Party (PBD). This union gave birth to a new entity, The Center.
A delicate rebranding, because it crossed out the historical reference to Catholicism. “I am proud to have succeeded in convincing the base,” says Gerhard Pfister. “It was a challenge,” he emphasizes.
>> See the portrait of Gerhard Pfister in the 7:30 p.m.:
Web text: Antoine Michel
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