The centre-right Radical Party says it wants Fulvio Pelli, a lawyer from canton Ticino, to remain party president

There has been widespread speculation that Pelli would be put forward as a candidate to replace the outgoing interior minister, Pascal Couchepin.

However, the Radical Party's parlaimentary group said on Friday evening that it would be putting forward a double ticket of Neuchâtel senator Didier Burkhalter and Geneva parliamentarian Christian Lüscher.

Pelli had earlier said he would stand as a candidate if his named were put forward.

The centre-right Christian Democrats agreed to put forward one candidate, but have not fixed on a name.

Also on Friday, the Green Party confirmed it would not be entering the race but would support the candidate with the closest political views.

The rightwing Swiss People's Party has not named its contender. A decision is not expected before September 8.

Couchepin, one of two Radical Party representatives in the seven-member cabinet, announced in June that he would be stepping down in October.

The cabinet is made up of two members from the Radicals and two from the centre-left Social Democrats, as well as one from the rightwing Swiss People's Party, one from the Christian Democrats and one from the centre-right Conservative Democrats.

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