All news about the successor to Viola Amherd

Amherd successor: Councilor of States Beni Würth does not want to join the Federal Council

So far, the possible candidates for the vacant middle seat in the Federal Council have kept a low profile. Now one of the favorites, St. Gallen Councilor of States Beni Würth (62), ventures out of the bush – and immediately cancels. “I will not run for the vacant seat in the Federal Council,” the former St. Gallen finance director announced through his cantonal party on Friday.

As he has said before, becoming a Federal Councilor is “no longer in my life plans,” the statement continues. «The topic has been ticked off for me. I feel extremely comfortable in my current political and professional tasks and will continue to do so with a high level of commitment.”

Würth had already been considered a possible Federal Council candidate in 2018 when a successor to Doris Leuthard was being sought. At the time, he said that the office would appeal to him – but he ultimately decided not to run.

Back then, it had primarily to do with one woman: Karin Keller-Sutter. The St. Gallen native was the clear favorite for the also vacant FDP seat. And Würth knew: Two new Federal Councilors from the same canton is one too many. Even if he himself denied it.

Even now, when asked, Würth says that this is not why he is giving up running for office. «After Doris Leuthard’s resignation, I seriously considered running for office. But life changes,” he tells CH Media. It was already clear to him in the summer that he would not be available.

Würth does not want to comment in detail about the reasons. “There are personal reasons why I am now refraining from running for office,” he says. “Becoming a Federal Councilor would represent a significant turning point in life.” He also made the decision in consultation with those closest to him. (lha)