Canton of Ticino: Lega state councils want to exchange departments

Fist thick surprise in Ticino: Norman Gobbi and Claudio Zali want to exchange their departments. The plan is difficult for political opponents.

On Monday, the Lega officially confirmed these intentions in a media release. The targeted Rochade enables new winds and the « spirit of renewal » to the government. As a former judge, Zali could quickly make a contribution to important problems of the judiciary, while Gobbi could tackle the problems of the territory thanks to his constructive approach. Lega coordinator Daniele Piccaluga praised the two councilors because they were ready to « leave their comfort zone ».

A Rochade would be a premiere in the history of the canton of Ticino. Departments have never been exchanged since the major administrative reform of 1991 during a current legislative period. The last elections took place in 2023, the next will follow in April 2027.

What is certain is that two magistrates cannot negotiate such an exchange. The overall government would have to support this. Information is said to have been issued to the three other councilors-two state councilors from FDP and Mitte as well as an SP state councilor. However, there is no formal decision. Although it is doubtful whether it can be felled at all. The corresponding regulation of the canton of Ticino mentions that the department is distributed at the beginning of a legislative period or in the case of replacement elections.

Sharp criticism of « improvised action »

The reactions to the planned Lega maneuver were consistently negative-from the SVP to the left. Central cantonal president Fiorenzo Dadò said: « This improvised action by the two Lega state councils is an admission that you have no tangible results in your previous departments. » He then presented a long list of failed projects and reforms in both departments.

SP-Co President Laura Riget spoke of a « marketing campaign », while FDP cantonal president Alessandro Speziali criticized the announcement as an attempt to « pretend a news with the same players ». SVP parliamentary group leader Sergio Morisoli also tried a football comparison: « It is like when a club replaces the coach shortly before the end of a bad season. »

In an interview, the former FDP state council Gendotti said that this maneuver would weaken the overall government and bring the other three state councils to the bredouille. It was generally criticized that the cantonal government was run over by the public lega announcement. In addition, the question arises as to what sense if such a change would take place in autumn if only a good year left until the next cantonal elections.

It is only certain that both Norman Gobbi and Claudio Zali could escape unpleasant questions with regard to the upcoming election campaign because they have only recently managed their respective departments. Political observers see a prelude to the Lega on the upcoming election campaign in the announcement.

The “Corriere del Ticino” is very hard on the Rocade Plan as the largest daily newspaper in Ticino. Vice editor-in-chief Gianni Righhinetti wrote in a comment: « Here we go beyond a circus number, we are in an authentic cabaret. » Gobbi and Zali are apparently immersed in the « delirium of an omnipotence », in the illusion of being able to lead all Ticino on the nose.