Fabrizio Sirica withdraws from the race for the cantonal government

Fabrizio Sirica will not be a candidate for the Council of State at the cantonal elections of April 2027. The co-president of the Socialist Party informed the party's selection committee of his withdrawal on Sunday evening.

Behind the decision is a speed check. Sirica was recorded at 104 kilometres per hour on a stretch where the limit is 50. At that speed he faces a criminal conviction as a reckless driver, with the resulting entry in the criminal record.

The Socialist leadership responded that evening, in a message sent at 10.31 pm. In it the party states that Sirica's co-presidency is not in question and that he should continue in the role.

The party's position

The Socialist Party added a second point, concerning his seat in parliament. It will be for voters to decide in April whether to re-elect Sirica to the Grand Council.

In the same note the leadership recalls the party's commitment to road safety. The text cites Socialist support for programmes such as Via Sicura, which the party has defended over the years.

The withdrawal comes as the parties are drawing up their lists for the renewal of the cantonal government. The Socialist Party will therefore have to find another name for the executive race.

The case touches a sensitive point for a party that has made road safety one of its causes. The leadership chose to separate the two levels: the internal role of co-president remains, the candidacy for government falls away.

Several questions remain open. It is not known what proceedings Sirica will face or when the case will be settled. No timetable has been given for choosing the new Socialist candidate for the Council of State.