Where was President Thierry Burkart on the parliamentary group?

On Wednesday, the parties carried out their faction trips. The FDP traveled to Kilchberg ZH, but President Thierry Burkart was missing. The questions raised the questions.

The weather was splendid and the mood was tidy when the freeness on his parliamentary group in Kilchberg ZH looked at the “Home of Chocolate” by Lindt & Sprüngi and paid a visit to the wooden boat manufacturer Boesch.

The leader of the parliamentary group Damien Cottier and the General Secretariat were challenged behind the scenes. Two main actors had canceled at short notice on Wednesday morning: Federal President Karin Keller-Sutter and President Thierry Burkart.

Cottier had to look for a replacement for these central speakers. He found her in President of the Councilor Andrea Caroni (for Burkart) and in National Council President Maja Riniker (for Keller-Sutter). « Fortunately, the FDP currently has all five important president in Switzerland, » says the parliamentary group leader with a smile. In addition to the Federal President, President of the Council of States and the National Council President, the party also provides the presidents of the Federal Supreme Court and the Federal Administrative Court.

Maja Riniker took over parts of Keller-Sutter’s speech

The short -term cancellations also presented the replacement speakers with challenges. They hardly had time to write their own speech. Riniker Stewel with the fact that she took over Keller-Sutter’s speech in parts. She has shortened and adapted her on the train from Bern to Zurich, she confirms – and laughs with a laugh: « You can send me everywhere – and I keep a speech that is adapted to my function.»

In the parliamentary group itself, the lack of Burkart was an issue. It was mentioned that he was absent, but not why. Group members wondered: did he not come because the media coverage was critical of his resignation? Or did he not come because his supporters are disappointed with resignation and a left -wing slip?

Burkart himself emphasizes that the absence has nothing to do with his resignation. « Those who know me know that the exchange with the base is important to me, » he says. « Unfortunately, due to a private matter, I couldn’t take part in the parliamentary group on Wednesday. »

With Federal President Keller-Sutter, in turn, it was noticed that she attended a debate in the National Council on Thursday afternoon. She was sick on Wednesday morning only perceived an « absolutely unpleasant ten-minute appointment » and then withdrawn, it says at the financial department-in order to be able to take part in the parliamentary debate on Thursday.

In Kilchberg, faction leader Cottier was reserved to give a programmatic speech. He praised the FDP project of individual taxation that will go into the final vote next week. « This is a project of equality and a project for modern, liberal Switzerland against conservative Switzerland, » he said. And emphasized: «The FDP comes back sharply. The topics are there. The party is innovative and agile. We will win the elections in 2027. This is important, because: If the FDP wins, Switzerland will also win. »

Incidentally, important people were also missing in other parties on the parliamentary group trip. In the middle of President Gerhard Pfister and the Green President Lisa Mazzone.