Gerhard Pfister on his resignation as President of the Center – News

Gerhard Pfister on his resignation as President of the Center – News
Gerhard Pfister on his resignation as President of the Center – News

The president of the Swiss Center Party, Gerhard Pfister, will step down this summer. He announced this during his party’s traditional Epiphany meeting in Bern. He explains to SRF News the reasons for his resignation – and what will happen next for him personally and for the party.

Gerhard Pfister

President of the Center


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Pfister has been chairman of the CVP since 2016. After the 2019 elections, he started his party’s reform process with a name change and a merger with the BDP. He has been national councilor for the canton of Zug since 2003.

SRF News: Why are you resigning from the presidency of the centrist party?

Gerhard Pfister: It’s a good time for me – and especially for the party. 2025 is probably a year of transition. Our 2033 Strategy will be completed in June and preparatory work for the 2027 federal elections will begin in the fall.

There will certainly be no shortage of work for me over the next six months – and neither will my successor.

When I developed the 2025 strategy with the party base, I said to myself that this year I should think about whether I should continue. I think this is the perfect time to pass the baton.

What pegs would you like to drive before summer?

It will be very important to finalize the strategy for the next elections and those that follow. I would like to resolve this problem with the cantonal parties. There are also some upcoming cantonal elections which I would happily support if I wish.

Legend:

Gerhard Pfister has been president of Mitte Suisse since 2016. He succeeded the current Valais state councilor and then national councilor Christophe Darbellay.

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Thematically, there are a few pieces: the European issue concerns us, the war in Ukraine remains a burden, polarization in the world is increasing. There will certainly be no shortage of work for me over the next six months – and neither will my successor.

Under your presidency, the CVP and the BDP merged to form the Center Party. The party is now as strong as the FDP. However, you see the potential in the middle at 18 percent. How do you want to achieve this?

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We need to become even more of a movement and open the party more to participation. Anyone who wants to participate in sensible, solution-oriented Swiss politics is welcome. We need to tap new groups of voters. We have done this much better with the boys than in recent years. We must constantly continue on this path.

“The merger with GLP is not a problem”


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Should the center also merge with the GLP? The opinion research institute GFS Bern carried out a representative survey on this issue on behalf of the Middle Party in autumn 2024. Result: the base of the center party is divided. 45 percent consider such a merger to be a good or very good idea, 43 percent are strongly or somewhat opposed.

According to Gerhard Pfister, a merger with GLP is currently not a problem. “This is not a strategic option for us. We can and must focus on ourselves and will do everything possible to ensure our continued growth.

We also need to be more proactive in proposing solutions from the community. We can’t wait for the left and the right to come up with something and then sell it as our solution. We have made progress here. But we must continue this work – and then we can realize our potential.

The new contractual package with the EU will also be an important topic between now and the summer. Opposite right you propose that the Swiss electorate have one

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should vote – this as a possible counter-proposal to the UDC initiative “No 10 million from Switzerland”. What suggestion do you have for the left?

Without an amicable solution between the social partners, there is no need to present the contract to citizens. Because then he will definitely be rejected. We must take seriously the legitimate fear that wages are coming under pressure. Not only the unions, but also the industry have these concerns.

I am still surprised that Federal Councilor Amherd, whose mandate is relatively short, is considering resigning.

We have ideas on how to guarantee wage levels in Switzerland. We will launch them and discuss them in Parliament. Of course, it would be nicer and “simpler” if the social partners reached an agreement within the next six months. A strong commitment from the Federal Council is necessary here.

Keyword Federal Council: There has long been speculation about the possibility of a double resignation of Viola Amherd and Ignazio Cassis. Does this awaken your ambitions?

I am still surprised that Federal Councilor Amherd, who has a relatively short mandate, is considering resigning. My approach has always been to answer this question only when it actually arises. This is not the case today.

Christine Wanner conducted the interview.

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