New center president: Philipp Bregy is a top favorite

On Wednesday, Philipp Matthias Bregy went on the offensive: he wants to succeed Gerhard Pfister. It is currently still open whether a counter-candidacy for the Middle Presidium is.

The twelve-member center presidium and potential opponents and opposite candidates learned the news on Tuesday evening: Group leader Philipp Bregy (46) informed them that he wanted to become the new President of the Middle.

The interview with which he made his ambitions public was long ago ready for printing at the « look ». It was published early Wednesday morning. « Yes, I am running, » says Bregy in it. « Although it is definitely a big challenge to enter the footsteps of Gerhard Pfister. »

His candidacy can lend stability to the middle because he has already been performing a management task in Bern since 2021, Bregy emphasizes. He wants to « consistently continue » the way that Pfister took with the middle as a fusion party from CVP and BDP. And he wants to “gradually add” to voters.

Gerhard Pfister’s desired candidate

For Gerhard Pfister, Bregy is the desired candidate on his heir as CVP and center president. During his time, Bregy worked closely with Pfister and Secretary General Gianna Luzio during his time. In doing so, he received in -depth insights into the way of working and the strategic considerations that Pfister and Luzio maintained.

The duo Pfister/Luzio brooded through the merger of CVP and BDP 2020 and 2021 at a rapid pace. It was not Pfister who had the concrete idea for the merger, but Secretary General Luzio. This shows its central role as a mastermind behind the scenes. Luzio leaves the party’s control center with Pfister.

Barandun is looking for a partner for a CO Presidium

The Zurich National Councilor Nicole Barandun does not want to be a parliamentary group leader. « I don’t like that, » she says. She feels more comfortable in the thematic work. Therefore, a candidacy for a Co-Presidium in the middle is in the foreground. She has already probed in western Switzerland – at Vaud National Councilor Isabelle Chappuis and at the Geneva National Councilor Vincent Maitre.

« A candidacy still excites me-but only in the Co-Presidium, » emphasizes Barandun even after Bregy’s decision. She would like to work with someone from western Switzerland, but admits: “Realizing a CO candidacy is not easy. I’m still in conversation. « 

With National Councilor Reto Nause, a second man is considering a candidacy for the Presidium. «Philipp Bregy has registered a clear leadership claim. And it is not easy to compete against your own parliamentary group leader, « says Nause, but emphasizes: » I still leave everything open.  » Next he wants to seek talking to Bregy.