Bastien Girod represented the canton of Zurich in the National Council as a Green.Bild: keystone
Green Bastien Girod resigns from the National CouncilThe Zurich Green politician Bastien Girod is resigning from the National Council after the autumn session. After 17 years in politics, it is time to work on the side of business to implement ecology and sustainability.
Meret Schneider, who was not re-elected in 2023, will succeed him. Girod was first elected to the National Council in 2007 at the age of 26. During his term in office, he was able to complete many important projects, he said on Saturday evening in an interview with the online editions of the Tamedia newspapers.
He says he has neither a crisis nor enough of politics. With a job at the management consultancy Deloitte in the area of sustainability and climate, he sees the opportunity to refocus.
Girod explained that 17 years ago there were few jobs in ecology. That is different now and ecological goals are anchored in the population and politics. Achieving this was only possible politically. When it comes to implementation in the economy, he can now use his knowledge to have a more concrete impact.
After his party’s failure in the federal elections in October 2023, Girod does not see the Greens on the decline. In view of the efforts in parliament against environmental protection, the pendulum will swing back. Girod is relaxed about the Federal Council’s plan to lift the ban on building nuclear power plants. As things stand, a new nuclear power plant would not be built for more than 20 years. But the energy transition would have to be a reality by this time. The outgoing National Council member does not see the expansion of renewable energies and the circular economy – Girod’s own great successes – as being endangered by the Federal Council’s plans. His interpretation of the current facts is that there is no need for nuclear power plants. (sda)
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