Pierre-Yves Maillard: Potential UDC Nomination for Federal Council
The relationship between Christoph Blocher and Pierre-Yves Maillard is the focus of the upcoming investigation on “Temps Présent.” Blick has had an exclusive glimpse into the matter before anyone else.
Pierre-Yves Maillard, also known as PYM or Pym-il-Sung, has his secrets. Despite being a prominent figure in Swiss socialism and trade unionism, he is surprisingly well-liked on the right. Even Christoph Blocher and the Swiss People’s Party (UDC) sing his praises and consider him a potential Federal Councillor.
This revelation comes from the upcoming episode of “Temps Présent,” dedicated to PYM and scheduled to air on Thursday, September 26th on RTS. Blick had the exclusive opportunity to preview the fifty-minute documentary. Delving into Maillard’s past and present, the film follows the Vaud State Councillor, president of the Swiss Trade Union Confederation (USS), and recent victor in the vote on the LPP reform last Sunday.
Blick had previously crowned Pierre-Yves Maillard as the “most powerful politician in the country in 2024” earlier this year. This accolade prompted the “Temps Présent” team to visit our Alamanic offices and speak with political journalist Sermîn Faki. According to Faki, who named Maillard the most influential man in Switzerland, the central element of the “Maillard method” is his skill as a “deal-maker,” adept at finding compromises.
The new faces of “Temps Présent,” François Roulet and Elisabeth Logean, dedicate their Thursday program to the enigmatic yet influential figure of Pierre-Yves Maillard.
“The Switzerland of Christoph Blocher resembles a graveyard of ideas and perspectives,” remarked Pierre-Yves Maillard on December 6, 1992, following the rejected referendum on Switzerland’s accession to the European Economic Area.
Maillard’s willingness to make deals even with the UDC on bilateral agreements with the European Union seems improbable, given his socialist and trade unionist background, vehemently opposing the right-wing, populist, and nationalist party in his youth.
A throwback archive from December 6, 1992, reveals a passionate Pierre-Yves Maillard addressing a crowd in Lausanne after the failed referendum on Switzerland’s EEA membership. “The Switzerland of Christoph Blocher resembles a graveyard of ideas and perspectives,” declared the impassioned young man. “We are not afraid of foreigners,” the orator continued. “Because we learned to read with them, grew up with them, and played with them.”
The question arises: what remains of the radical young man in today’s socialist, who some consider “conservative”? The Alamanic press draws parallels between PYM and Christoph Blocher in terms of rhetoric, populism, and their ability to almost single-handedly win campaigns. Maillard readily invokes Blocher when asked about his strong presence in politics, contrasting their campaign methods.
The cameras of RTS ventured into the opulent villa of Zurich billionaire and UDC’s historical leader, Christoph Blocher. According to the former Federal Councillor, Pierre-Yves Maillard is someone “with whom one can discuss, who is open-minded,” and who, in the case of a deal, will uphold his end of the bargain if the other party does the same. “I admire politicians like him,” remarked the seasoned political figure, well-versed in the art of political maneuvering.
Despite receiving overtures from the UDC to become a Federal Councillor in 2020, following his failed bid against Alain Berset in 2011, Maillard has publicly stated that he has no intentions of pursuing the nomination. When pressed on whether this decision is final, the Vaud State Councillor responds in typical Vaudois fashion, emphasizing the unpredictability of the future and his commitment to the principle of “never say never.”
An alliance between trade unions and the UDC in a referendum, particularly on a critical issue like Europe, could wield considerable influence. Blick and “Temps Présent” are convinced: Pierre-Yves Maillard is indeed the most powerful politician in Switzerland.
In conclusion, the intricate relationship between Pierre-Yves Maillard and Christoph Blocher, as explored in the upcoming episode of “Temps Présent,” sheds light on the complex dynamics of Swiss politics. Despite their ideological differences, the mutual respect and potential collaboration between these two influential figures could have far-reaching implications for the country’s future.