Contents
For the first time, the FDP and SVP in the canton of Jura are entering the Council of States elections with a joint list.
With a joint list, the FDP and the SVP in the canton of Jura want to increase their chances of success in the distribution of seats in the Council of States. Since 1995, the two Jura seats have been occupied by the two traditionally strong parties SP and Center (former CVP).
The two previous Jura representatives in the Stöckli, the social democrat Mathilde Crevoisier Crelier and the middle man Charles Juillard are running again.
FDP and SVP attack together
This party-political continuity of the SP and the center in the small chamber is now to be interrupted with the FDP-SVP ticket “Ensemble”.
The FDP sends the 50-year-old district president of the canton of Jura, Jacques Gerber, to the election campaign. The economy and health minister has proven to be one of the central figures in the Jurassic government during the Corona crisis. Due to his high profile, he has intact election chances.
Legend:
The FDP competes with a political heavyweight. The Jura Economics and Health Minister Jacques Gerber is to win a seat in the Council of States for the FDP.
Keystone / PETER KLAUNZER
Since in the canton of Jura, in contrast to most other cantons, the Council of States is also elected by proportional representation, Gerber is dependent on the help of the list partner SVP. The SVP enters the race with the 53-year-old farmer Thomas Stettler. As a former member of the canton’s parliament, however, he is nowhere near as well-known and politically charismatic as Jacques Gerber. He is considered an outsider.
If FDP man Jacques Gerber actually manages the election thanks to the SVP list votes, the SVP could still book this as a success. There would be a clear shift to the right in the Jura delegation of states.
SP relies on a women’s ticket
The election of Elisabeth Baume-Schneider to the Federal Council last December put the SP in a bit of trouble with regard to the upcoming elections to the Council of States.
Legend:
For the SP, the cards were reshuffled after Elisabeth Baume-Schneider was elected to the Federal Council. Mathilde Crevoisier Crelier (here being sworn in) has only been a member of the Council of States since last December.
Keystone / PETER KLAUNZER
43-year-old Mathilde Crevoisier Crelier replaced Baume-Schneider in the Council of States. However, she is hardly known outside of her place of residence Pruntrut. Because apparently even her own party does not trust her to defend the seat against the strengthened middle-class competition, the SP also nominated the incumbent government councilor Nathalie Barthoulot.
The 55-year-old Barhoulot is considered a close friend and political foster daughter of Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.
Mitte relies on their proven candidate
The center again competes with Charles Juillard. The 60-year-old former finance minister has become a wily string puller in the Federal Palace. Among other things, he successfully wooed behind the scenes for the Federal Council election of his colleague Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.
Legend:
Charles Juillard is to defend the seat of the center party in the Council of States. He has been in the small chamber since 2019.
Keystone / ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE
He did this for an SP woman and in the knowledge that electing Baume-Schneider would also destroy his own Federal Council ambitions. This unselfish behavior in terms of the interests of the canton of Jura should also bring Julliard a number of left votes.
The 31-year-old François Monin, director of the Jura farmers’ association AgriJura, completes the Mitte ticket. He shouldn’t have much of a chance at elections.
The candidates for the Greens and the GLP are also outsiders. Since no joint list with the SP came about, the Greens are backing the individual candidate Pauline Godat and the Green Liberals are backing the 47-year-old Paul Monnerat.
It will be exciting to see to what extent the new conservative electoral alliance can endanger the traditional SP and center seats.
Legend:
srf
On October 22, 2023, the Jurassic voters will elect their representatives in the National Council and Council of States. Here you will find an overview background and assessments.
For the first time, the FDP and SVP in the canton of Jura are entering the Council of States elections with a joint list.