The Limmat city likes to see itself as innovative and progressive. In politics, however, red-green routine and a lack of ideas dominate.
Together, the members of the Zurich City Council have 83 years in office.
When the city of Zurich has another city council election in a year and a half, it could be an exciting thing for the first time in a long time. They offer the chance for the city on the Limmat to find its way out of the personnel-related rut in which it has found itself for what feels like an eternity. Five of the nine city council members have double-digit years of service. It can be assumed that not everyone will stand for another term of office.
Corine Mauch has been at the head of the city government for 15 years. So long that the SP woman has been referred to as the “city mother” and the so-called Generation Z (1997-2012) has been replaced by Generation Alpha (2013-2025).
The head of building construction André Odermatt (SP) and the head of finance Daniel Leupi (Greens) have almost the same number of years in office under their belt as Mauch.
So it’s high time for new minds and a breath of fresh air at the top of Switzerland’s largest city, which likes to see itself as progressive and creative, but is unable to live up to this claim. The ever-same city government is symptomatic of the lack of ideas that has crept into Zurich. With the parties and politicians, but also with the voters.
True to the motto “The same as always”, the habit is indulged in without question. This also saves you the effort of having to look more closely at the candidates.
The fine line between long-serving and obliterated
Of course, the experience that comes with a long tenure also has its advantages. With 83 years in office together, the city council is a well-rehearsed team, the machine is running, everyone involved knows their dossiers. Maybe even a little too good.
A routine has established itself. The annual presentation of the city’s budget by Finance Director Leupi is now like déjà vu – high income, lots of expenses, and despite a good financial situation, no tax reduction. Such repetitions convey a kind of homely security against the backdrop of turbulent world events. But this security is deceptive, the line between long-serving and extinguished is narrow.
However, given the challenges facing the city – for example in terms of finances, housing or population growth – repeating familiar voting patterns is not necessarily effective. The time is ripe in Zurich to break old patterns.
For the parties, the previous ones are a convenient option for the executive election – Michael Baumer’s intention to run for another legislature, even for the city council, may have led to a collective sigh of relief, especially among the citizens. At least one seat in the otherwise red-green dominated committee should be secured.
The Liberals’ ambitions should go beyond simply retaining seats. The goal should be to wrest a place from the SP or the Greens in the executive branch and to create a shift towards a more balanced city government.
In order to have a say in the fate of the Limmat city in the next legislature, the parties to the right of center will not be able to avoid supporting each other.
There’s still a year and a half left. Just enough time to build up candidates and mobilize your own base for the elections. Applicants who are cross-party networked, consensus-oriented, and especially female applicants, are likely to have a chance. You could also manage to get one or two votes from the camp that doesn’t vote strictly according to party.
