Zurich SP delegates reject Daniel Jositsch for Council of States re-election

Zurich's SP party delegates have decided not to nominate Daniel Jositsch for re-election to the Council of States, marking a significant shift for the incumbent.

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I have known for a long time that Jacqueline Badran wants the seat in the Council of States. The question now is whether I will leave it to her.

In a vote of 109 to 94, the delegates rejected supporting Jositsch for another term. This decision came after a lengthy and at times heated debate, where Jositsch himself had requested clarity on his party's backing despite ongoing differences. The outcome suggests a desire within the party for a different direction, with National Councilor Jacqueline Badran emerging as a preferred alternative for many.

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I found it pleasant because it finally led to a direct confrontation.

Jositsch, who had sought a direct confrontation to resolve the party's unease, stated he understood the delegates' left-leaning sentiment. He acknowledged that his direct approach, refusing to compromise his identity for nomination, was a conscious choice. "Where Jositsch is on it, Jositsch is in it - take it or leave it," he explained, emphasizing his desire to be elected for who he is, not as a compromise candidate.

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I could have ingratiated myself with everyone, but I didn't want to. I didn't want people to vote for Jositsch just to secure the seat and then be upset with me again for four years. I said: Where Jositsch is on it, Jositsch is in it - take it or leave it. And if you take him, then leave me alone afterwards.

Despite the loss, Jositsch received a standing ovation after the vote. He viewed the evening as a necessary direct confrontation, preferring it to learning about discontent through indirect channels. He found the 94 votes in his favor to be "almost still pleasing" given the perceived political leanings of the delegates, which included many climate activists and young socialists.

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Yes. The nomination would have been a bigger surprise for me. Because I know that the party delegates are more left-wing than the party members or the voters of the SP. You noticed it yourself: quite a few climate seniors, young socialists and feminists appeared here. In that sense, 94 votes for me are almost still pleasing.