Ticino Greens confirm Gysin and Vitale as candidates for the Council of State

The cantonal committee of the Ticino Greens, meeting on Wednesday 2 September in Bellinzona, gave its backing to the candidacies of Greta Gysin and Rocco Vitale on the joint list of the progressive camp for the Council of State elections. Final ratification rests with the cantonal assembly, convened for Saturday 19 September: with that vote, the progressive camp will complete its slate of candidates for the renewal of the cantonal government.

Gysin is the Greens' group leader in the federal chambers and brings political experience gained at various institutional levels. Vitale chairs the party's cantonal committee and sits on its executive board: he has already run several political campaigns and, professionally, coordinates regional development projects in the valleys of the Locarno area.

In its statement, the party describes the two candidacies as a combination of «esperienza e rinnovamento, integrità e coraggio politico: qualità necessarie per rimettere il Ticino in movimento, ripristinare la fiducia nelle istituzioni» ("experience and renewal, integrity and political courage: qualities needed to get Ticino moving again and restore trust in its institutions").

The stated goal is to change the current political balance in the canton, strengthening the progressive camp enough to aim for a second seat in government. The party also links this ambition to a stronger presence in the cantonal parliament. Among the priorities cited is climate policy: according to the Greens, this summer's drought and heatwaves showed the urgency of equipping Ticino with an adaptation strategy able to protect the population, the economic fabric, the territory and natural resources. It remains to be seen what concrete measures will be proposed to turn that goal into effective protection for those with fewer means to cope with extreme heat and drought.

Positions on the federal votes

The cantonal committee also took a position on the two issues up for a federal vote on 27 September. The Ticino Greens reject the neutrality initiative, which they say would isolate the country and weaken international law. On the "for food security" initiative, the party is leaving voting free: it shares the initiative's aims but not its proposed implementation.