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The Christian Democratic People’s Party: It could soon be history. Because CVP wants to change its name: “El medio” is the name that the party leadership has agreed upon after long discussions. CVP President Gerhard Pfister (57) introduced the new name and logo on Friday. Instead of a cross, it now shows a bracket. “A metaphor for solidarity,” Pfister explained.
A poll commissioned by CVP had shown that the C in the name deterred many potential voters, even if they supported CVP’s policies. Now he wants to get rid of his disability. Hoping to finally emerge from the depths.
There is a strike vote
The new name is not fixed yet. Party members have the last word in a strike vote, the first in CVP’s history. The result should be available at the end of October. If the members say yes, the delegates also have to give the green light.
The name change is one more step towards merging with the BDP. The two sides are holding talks about this. The goal is to make a decision before the end of the year. The president of the BDP, Martin Landolt (52), says that he participated in the discussion of the name. “Personally, I really like the name.” However, he emphasizes that the decision is now only in the hands of CVP.
Cantonal parties can keep C.
Last spring’s poll showed that the name “Die Mitte” has a majority. 53 percent of the rank and file came out in favor of this variant and against C. However, there are also exponents of the party in the Catholic countries of origin for whom a name change is out of the question. The Council of States of Valais Beat Rieder (57) warned that the elimination of the C would be “the ruin for the party”. The individual members even threatened to leave.
The cantonal parties are free to choose whether or not to adopt the new name. They could decide in 2025, Pfister said. At least at the cantonal level, the CVP could continue to live with it.
