Kevin Grangier leaves a void as president of the UDC Vaud

Eighteen months before the next major electoral event – ​​the 2026 municipal elections – the UDC Vaud finds itself without a president. Crowned with a good record, Kevin Grangier announced his resignation in Junefour months before his actual departure. The party was not taken by surprise, but no one came forward as a candidate to succeed the Chablaisian strategist and ideologue. As they announcedthe three current vice-presidents Sylvain Freymond, Emmylou Ziehli and Marco Carenza will act in the interim while they find the rare pearl. The congress of October 3, which was held in Chéserex, took note of this organization. An absence of succession which is surprising for the Vaud section of the first Swiss party.

What role will Kevin Grangier keep?

If he leaves the leadership of the Vaudois party, Kevin Grangier should not move too far away. For the last five years, the so-called “agrarian” party was led by a communications professional. His role as president was thus coupled with a communications mandate, allowing Kevin Grangier to put his know-how to the benefit of electoral campaigns. This contract, providing for a fixed monthly payment, expires at the end of the year. Will it be renewed? “I remain at the disposal of my party, but I am not owed anything and I have made this clear to my successors,” he said. “If they want to do it differently, or with someone else, I accept it.” Kevin Grangier created in 2022, jointly with PLR Jean-Luc Duvoisin of the DO! agency, a brand called “DG! Political communication”, in which he will now be able to invest more. He also remains French-speaking coordinator of the Swiss UDC.

Asked, the UDC deputy and member of the central committee of the UDC Vaud, Nicola di Giulio shared his feelings with us in writing: “When announcing his departure, Kevin Grangier affirmed that the succession was ready to take over. the torch. The current situation, however, suggests that the reality is more complex […]. It appears that some potential presidential candidates are hesitant to commit, fearing they will not be able to carry out their role independently of the lingering influence of Kevin Grangier as “adviser” or as “the sergeant major who holds the barrack,” as he defines himself.” For her part, Emmylou Ziehli indicates that this reluctance was not expressed by any of the papables with whom the committee had contact.

Why is no one interested?

If it’s not “the shadow of the sergeant major” that makes potential successors think twice, then what is? The burden that the function represents may have killed vocations. “The presidency of a party is an interesting mandate, but it is a very significant volume of work,” notes national advisor Jacques Nicolet. The former president of the UDC Vaud (2016-2019) understands that the three vice-presidents preferred to share the work, for the moment.

By putting his independent work at the service of his presidency, Kevin Grangier was inevitably able to fully embody the party. “In this way it was a rare bird, not everyone has this possibility of combining their professional activity and their commitment to the party,” says MP Fabrice Moscheni. “On the right, we have fewer facilities than on the left, where party presidents are, so to speak, sponsored by their employers.” The Lausanne resident, business leader, knows what he is talking about: he also chaired the UDC Vaud a dozen years ago. “I can tell you that during this period, I lost money.”

The president of the UDC receives 1000 francs per month, to cover a volume of working hours that fluctuates greatly depending on the time of year, but which Kevin Grangier equates, on an annualized average, to the equivalent of a 20-40%. “To do things well,” he continues, “you have to devote the necessary time and energy to it. To this end, doubling or tripling the president’s compensation should not be a taboo. I expressed this opinion internally in my party.” “This is a discussion that we have not yet had within the competent bodies,” explains Emmylou Ziehli. Note that the party employs a general secretary at 70%, Floriane Gonet.

Who will end up taking on the challenge?

Officially, the party says several people have expressed interest in the presidency. Without going all the way to the end of the process. The name of vice-president Sylvain Freymond, a farmer, quickly circulated after Kevin Grangier announced his departure. “What I said was that I would be interested in the position at some point. But I have already had a lot of changes in a short time at the professional level,” says the man who was elected to the National Council a year ago, to everyone’s surprise. Floriane Gonet was asked “by several people” to apply, she informs us. “I am very touched by the confidence shown in me by our members, but I prefer to keep my position as general secretary.”

Within the UDC, we agree that it is in vain to wait for a clone of Kevin Grangier. “Above all, we need someone who unites, who can create a city-countryside alliance and who is motivated to face the electoral period that is ahead of us,” sketches Emmylou Ziehli. The idea of ​​a two-person co-presidency is mentioned by certain members: “This is done well in other parties.” Others have a precise idea of ​​the profile sought: “For me, the presidency of a cantonal party must be occupied by a deputy,” says national councilor Michaël Buffat. It has to be someone who has hands in cantonal politics.”

Is the situation problematic?

No, say the party leaders in unison. The triumvirate of vice-presidents works in harmony and there is no need “to look for the little beast”, says Sylvain Freymond. “When we presented our new organization to the congress, it did not raise any questions,” says Emmylou Ziehli. Informed of the article in preparation, Floriane Gonet spontaneously wrote us an e-mail: “It seems important to me to reassure our members, our voters as well as the citizens of Vaud who follow us, by affirming that this transition period does not pose any issue.” In the minds of the elected officials interviewed, it is nevertheless clear that the situation can only be temporary. The three vice-presidents hope to have found a successor to Kevin Grangier by next spring’s congress.

Newsletter

“Vaud policy”

Do you like municipal and cantonal politics? “24hours” offers you a weekly selection of news from our authorities, from fund-raising files to behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

Other newsletters

Log in

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

10 comments