Matthias Bregy: “My task will be simpler than to pfister”

ThoseInterview de Philipp Matthias Bregy –“Switzerland should not bend to the law of the strongest”

The only candidate for the presidency of the center, Haut-Valaisan confides in his vision of the party. He also tackles the Federal Council on the USA.

Posted today at 10:32 am

• Philipp Matthias Bregy is the only candidate declared to the presidency of the center.
• He tells us why he wishes to succeed Gerhard Pfister in this function.
• Valaisan pleads for a regional safeguard clause to manage European immigration.
• Philipp Matthias Bregy also finds that the Federal Council gives way too easily to the USA.

Mr. Bregy, being president of Party is the hardest job in Switzerland. Demonstrations every night, a modest salary, more criticism than praise-why do you impose this on you?

I am someone who likes to create things. I like to work strategically with people. I have been a group leader for almost four years. The presidency of the party is for me the next logical step in my journey. But it is first of all our delegates who will decide at the end of June if they tell me this function.

You did not want to become a federal advisor because of your family. Why is the function of president easier to reconcile with children?

As president, I can take lunch or dinner with my family from time to time. We will also spend evenings together. I would have had this flexibility less as a federal advisor. There, I would have been completely dependent on the function.

You are the only candidate at the end of the registration period. What’s going on in your party? No one is interested in management positions?

This is not only the case with us: at the UDC, the PLR ​​and the Greens, there was only one candidacy during the last holidays. The presidency of a party offers a large room for maneuver, but also involves a lot of responsibility. In addition, it is a task that takes a lot of time and is almost no longer compatible with the militia system.

As if the federal advisor, Center women have expressed their interest, but did not find a candidate. Have you taken the place of women?

It is a personal decision to apply for the party’s presidency. It must correspond to the current life situation. As a party, it is clearly an interest in providing competent women and men with exciting career options. We have always done it – we can see with our last two federal councilors.

Your predecessor Gerhard Pfister enjoyed external respect, but was not much appreciated internally, as we could see after his resignation. What are you going to do differently from him?

This perception is false. Gerhard Pfister is also respected within the party for his excellent services. Following your traces successfully is a challenge for me. If we have completed well in recent years, it is precisely because we have different strengths. From the point of view of the program, I will continue in any case on the path he has chosen.

You want to continue the social-liberal course of Pfister. However, this was partly disputed internally. Your advisers to the States have only partially supported it.

We have been successful since we have adopted this CAP – so we absolutely have to be held. It bothers me to hear regularly that the Council of States did not follow Pfister. Our states advisers may not always support our orientation with the same consistency, but they followed the trend. As representatives of the cantons, they also have another mission.

What is your strategy to win the 2027 elections?

Our brand image must be to represent the middle class throughout the country and clearly stand out from the extreme positions of the left and the right. We are the third pole of the political system, which represents clean and constructive solutions. For this, we must be sure of ourselves, that we have the will to create things and that we are all ready to take responsibility by engaging personally.

During your mandate, European policy will be the subject of lively discussions. What do you think of the new treaty with the EU?

The center management has not yet had access to its details. The procedure of the Federal Council, which consists in allowing only a few people chosen by party to consult the treaty, is not judicious in my eyes. Why is the Federal Council not more transparent? However, there is nothing to hide. It is now a maximum of opening and the discussion must be carried out on a large scale. This is the only way to convince the people. Because good relations with the EU, our main trading partner, are essential.

The question of immigration will be decisive. How can Switzerland manage it in a judicious way?

We must conduct an honest discussion, especially on work -related migration. It generates pressure on the population – but also of prosperity. We must wonder how much growth and prosperity we are ready to sacrifice to release this pressure a little. Our country will not be able to bear growth at all costs. I think that some slowdown is necessary to guarantee national cohesion.

How do you intend to brake immigration?

We need an effective backup clause -not only in the EU treaty, but already now, as a counter-measure on the initiative of 10 million UDCwho wants to strongly limit immigration. It would be wise to introduce a safeguard clause in the Constitution, which would give Switzerland the possibility of managing immigration by region and by branch. But we must be aware that it would somewhat slow down economic growth.

Institutional attachment to the EU will also be controversial within your party.

This is the crucial point. But if we want to be part of the common market, we also need common rules. If we accept certain institutional links, we must ensure that the rights of direct democracy are preserved in Switzerland.

Switzerland should therefore orient itself more towards Europe. How should it react to the United States who want to impose high customs duties for us?

It is a good thing that the Federal Council conducts discussions with the United States. But he makes an error by rushing out all his cards in the game. We rather need restrictive and equivalent counterparts for possible offers from us.

Do you blame the Federal Council for giving in in advance?

I see for example a critical eye the fact that he has pushed back to the Greek calendars the regulation of social networks and other platforms Because he is afraid of the reactions of the United States. This is the security of our population, youth and direct democracy. If I become president of the center, I want to get involved so that Switzerland does not comply with the law of the strongest, but remains faithful to its fundamental values ​​of law and direct democracy. I expect from the Federal Council and the other parties that they defend the freedom and sovereignty of Switzerland in this area as well.

Translation: Florent Quiquerez