Andri Silberschmidt does not want to become a FDP president: “I am considering running as a Zurich government council”

Mr. In addition, Silberschmidt, they were considered a co -favorite for the successor of Thierry Burkart. Moreover, Why did you decide against a candidacy?

I would like to send in advance: The Presidium is one of the most exciting offices that can. Similarly, be exercised in Switzerland. Similarly, But it is just too early for my life situation today. Meanwhile, That’s why I do without.

You have to explain that.

On the one andri silberschmidt does not want new hand, I just became a father. Therefore, And on the other hand. Therefore, I have built up a company with my partner with which we now pay 120 employees every month …

… Furthermore, you mean the gastructure Kaisin.

Exactly, I need it there too. Nevertheless, But above all, I also considered: I am 31 years old – in all likelihood, I will work for many years. Consequently, Is it already the moment to climb into this political Olympus? Similarly, Or are there not other options that are more logical for me at my point in life?

Which “other options” do you mean?

I have been on the board of FDP Switzerland for almost ten years, four years Vice President. However, andri silberschmidt does not want new The canton of Zurich will vote for a new government in one and a half years. Therefore, I am considering running as a government council. Before I make a decision, I want to exchange ideas with the Zurich FDP. If everyone tells me, don’t do that – then I will not compete. But I want to say here and now: that could be an exciting next task that excites me very much.

The FDP representative in the Zurich government council, Zurich, Carmen Walker Späh, will be 69 years old in spring 2027. Your resignation is expected. Do you want to succeed your successor?

Or get a second seat for the FDP! I checked again this weekend: Zurich does a fifth of Swiss economic strength. The canton is a strong engine for the country. The FDP can and must help shape Zurich. Bringing two andri silberschmidt does not want new seats must be our claim.

Did you talk to the Zurich party president Filippo Menschenegger about it?

There were first talks, but that was all very informal. Now I wanted to clarify the question of the Presidium for myself. Then the question of the government council until the end of the year. And that now requires further discussions.

If you switch to Zurich politics. you will lose the two topics that were always most important to you with AHV and pension funds.

That’s so. That also annoys me: we have not got any further in recent years – on the contrary. But I also did not make myself a life work to politicize nationally on these topics.

They wanted to rebuild the FDP Switzerland. You should be digital, “we have andri silberschmidt does not want new to get into permanent campaigning,” they said once. Have you got afraid of the goals you put in the room yourself?

No. We have now raised digital campaigning to a new level. We are now best positioned on the bourgeois side. I have the feeling that I did a lot for the party, I don’t have to accuse anything of. And there are other great people in the party who can give impulses.

They became a father in January. Can you explain more precisely how this played in your decision?

I have organized my agenda very differently since then. I see that I am at home more often in the evening. that I am at home one day a andri silberschmidt does not want new week. Admittedly, party president or government council-both are more than a fulltime job. But it is important to me to be able to accompany my child while growing up. I consciously say “accompany”, don’t just “watch”. As a party president, you are often on the road, especially overnight. And that will be difficult when you have just founded a family.

You will not be president-now you can speak openly: Are you for or against the new EU contract package?

I have a tendency. But I want to see improvements. Especially in the area of immigration: we have to be able to take measures in Switzerland. So we need a protective clause that is concrete enough. The cohesion payments also need adjustments: I have nothing against payments. but they should be counted towards the contributions of development cooperation.

I summarize: Your tendency is a yes.

I don’t want to anticipate our delegates. But the last few weeks have shown that as a small nation. we have great interest in stable contracts with other countries.

They alludes to the US customs decision. They also indirectly say that the Trump fiasco helps the EU supporters in Switzerland.

This is probably the case, but I still warn against combining the two questions too strongly. Then you would have to say: If we don’t have the customs fiasco. we do not need the EU contracts either. No-we have to check the EU question independently in the end.

Who should become a FDP president-Susanne Vincenz-Slacher from St. Gallen? Benjamin Mühlemann from Glarus? Damian Müller from Lucerne?

(smiles) I think we have a good pipeline.

It is still empty. A week before the deadline, nobody announced a candidacy.

We will have a good solution. In the end, it will be andri silberschmidt does not want new a team that is available -someone at the top, accompanied by Vice President. The times when several candidates compete against each other have been over for a long time. You can see that with other parties.

They once said they had their ambition from their father. a sports teacher and former coach of the table tennis nati. What did he advise you as FDP president?

I think he won’t be unhappy if he reads this interview.