UDC Ticino names Marchesi and Pamini as government candidates

The UDC Ticino's ordinary congress was held on Saturday in Ascona. At the meeting, delegates made the main decisions ahead of the 2027 cantonal elections. They confirmed Marco Chiesa as president of the party's Ticino section. Chiesa had already held the role on an interim basis since August.

The congress also ratified, with a standing ovation, Chiesa's candidacy for the Federal Council. The step was required under the statutes of UDC Ticino.

Candidates for the cantonal government

The congress's most anticipated decision concerned the UDC's candidates for the Council of State ahead of the 2027 cantonal elections. The party confirmed outgoing state councillor Piero Marchesi on the list. He will be joined by national councillor Paolo Pamini, who is thus attempting the move from federal to cantonal politics.

Marchesi and Pamini will together form the unified right-wing list. The list will be completed by two candidates from the Lega dei Ticinesi and by a fifth name still to be chosen. In total, the centre-right list for the government will therefore include five candidates.

The congress also unanimously approved the UDC's ninety candidates for the Grand Council. All outgoing deputies were reconfirmed on the list, a sign of continuity with the current parliamentary group. The only new name added is Maria Pia Ambrosetti, who is leaving HelvEthica Ticino to join the UDC ahead of the next elections.

Besides the candidate lists, delegates also approved the party's legislature programme.

The UDC has set two goals for the 2027 cantonal elections. The first is to retain the seat on the Council of State. The second is to increase the party's representation on the Grand Council by three deputies. The Ascona congress thus marks the start of the party's campaign ahead of the renewal of the Ticino government and parliament.