Head of Christian Democratic Party steps down

Philipp Staehelin (right) succeeds to Adalbert Durrer as head of the Christian Democrats Keystone

The head of the centre-left Christian Democratic Party, Adalbert Durrer, has resigned after spending four and a half years at the party's helm. His successor, Philipp Staehelin, is the first person from canton Thurgau to lead the Christian Democrats.

In his departure speech at the delegates’ assembly in Wil on Friday, Durrer regretted the party had again lost votes during the last Federal elections.

Durrer pointed out that the party had failed to come up with key dossiers which would have distinguished it from other political groups. He also urged that members should strive to maintain the two seats in the seven-member Cabinet.

Durrer also referred to the “Yes to Europe” initiative, reminding his audience that party voting positions had to be respected and taken seriously. He pointed out that two-thirds of the party’s cantonal divisions and over 80 per cent of Christian Democrat voters had failed to follow the party’s guidelines on this occasion.

The outgoing president told party delegates they had to be in tune with the concerns of society, particularly issues impacting families, small and medium-size businesses, education and health.

Durrer praised the party’s healthy financial situation and expressed satisfaction at his party’s growing presence on the cantonal political scene.

Staehelin, a 57-year-old senator at the House of Representatives, was the only candidate to run for head of the Christian Democratic Party, and was chosen unanimously by the assembly.

swissinfo with agencies