FDP President Aargau shoots hard – against the leader of his own party, Petra Gössi – Switzerland

At the conference of the cantonal presidents of the FDP party on October 30, there was a letter from the Aargau section. Content: It has become too quiet around the national FDP. He fails to attract media attention with clear positional references.

FDP is no longer a proactive and innovative force – writes Lukas Pfisterer, President of FDP Aargau

Twelve days earlier, the Aargau FDP had lost 1.3 percent of the vote in the cantonal elections. That wasn’t a debacle, but the series of setbacks since the October 2019 national elections continued for the Liberals. In his letter to the party president, Petra Gössi, Lukas Pfisterer, president of the Aargau FDP, wrote for the first time that he would critically analyze the cantonal elections and “elaborate the necessary corrective measures”.

Then there are quite pronounced accusations from Petra Gössi and her party executive: the FDP has not been perceived nationally as a “proactive, innovative and communicative political force” for a long time. The other parties manage to present themselves positively in the media time and again, while “we do not perceive our FDP at the national level.” An active appearance of the FDP business party would be especially important in this time of crisis.

Party starts consultation: How big is the malaise?

Lukas Pfisterer asks that “turn the wheel.” It calls for the “rapid development of clear, understandable and easily communicable messages in core dossiers such as bilateral relations with the European Union, the economic policy approach for Covid-19 and environmental policy in the context of the CO2 Law.” Steps must be taken to address these issues in a binding way: “Who does what by when?” This also includes strong visibility of the national party leadership, internally and externally.

How did the other cantonal presidents receive Aargau’s Capuchin sermon? Some elected officials don’t want to say anything on the matter. Others wish not to be mentioned by name. “Yes, you can feel more freedom,” agrees the president of a large section of Pfisterer.

Gössi says the FDP must “keep working and fighting”

Petra Gössi will soon find out from the FDP cantonal presidents if they share Aargau’s criticism. An internal consultation was initiated at the suggestion of the Cantonal Party of St. Gallen. “We have not yet received all the statements from the cantons,” explains Marco Wölfi, media spokesman for the FDP. The responses would be evaluated and then a discussion would take place at the next party chairman’s conference.

Several free-spirited politicians mention that the party headquarters is currently undergoing personnel changes: both General Secretary Samuel Lanz and Communications Chief Martin Stucki have resigned from their duties in recent weeks. Secretary General Lanz had been in office since 2014 and was considered a talent for the organization. Her successor, Fanny Noghero de Neuchâtel, must now become her new role.

In an interview with this newspaper two weeks ago, Gössi commented on the series of electoral setbacks of the FDP. “We have to work and fight,” he said. The party is usually too differentiated in communication. “We have to be even more direct and clear.” Gössi publicly announced a message similar to what Lukas Pfisterer had already made internally: the party must communicate its positions more aggressively.

Gössi does not want to change the orientation of the FDP

Gössi did not announce any substantial correction to the course of the match. He defended the greener stance he had given the Liberals eight months before the 2019 national elections. Gössi noted that a poll of members had supported the so-called eco-pivot. And delegates recently came out clearly in favor of the new CO2 law. Provides incentive taxes.

Petra Gössi is convinced that the FDP would have lost even more voters to the Green Liberals if the party had not corrected its course. In the SRG electoral barometer, published a week ago, the FDP stands at 15.1 percent, exactly the same as in the 2019 elections. The downward trend appears to be slowing down for the moment. However, according to the poll, the senior vice president continues to lose support.

On Friday, the FDP presented the results of a new survey to its members. It showed that liberals agree with Gössi’s so-called grandchildren strategy. The focus is on pension reforms and securing livelihoods and employment.