Graber enters Federal Council race as Matter withdraws
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The deadline for nominations to the Federal Council arrives today with the usual mix of calculated exits and tentative entries. Thomas Matter has withdrawn his candidacy, while Michael Graber has joined the field with the optimistic claim that he can win over left-wing voters while defending EU treaties. The Zug branch of the People’s Party has nominated Thomas Aeschi; he has not yet said if he actually wants the job.
Beyond the capital, the government is defending its homework on the F-35 fighter jet deal following claims that the contracts were not fully read before they were signed. In the digital realm, a security flaw in PHP code has disabled thousands of websites, proving that Swiss cantons and hospitals are just as vulnerable to a coding error as the small businesses that share their servers.
The electorate is currently split on two upcoming votes: a proposed ban on fireworks and a long-running dispute over how to fund the national pension system. A survey suggests both are too close to call. Meanwhile, Storm Austen is expected to arrive by midday, bringing winds of 120 km/h and the potential for school closures.