Young engineering student looks to seat in National Council

Klemens Iten, a student of mechanical engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, is standing for a seat in the National Council in elections which take place in less than one month’s time.

The 20-year-old Unterägeri-resident is also the co-leader of the Young Green Liberal Party of the canton of Zug. In response to a question from a journalist of the Zuger Zeitung, he said he was standing to ensure more issues pertaining to young people were aired, and to encourage more of them to take an interest in politics.

As to three core issues he wished to address if elected, he mentioned the matter of the environment and protecting nature, not least in ensuring the Paris Agreement was adhered to. He also looked to energy transition and ensuring bio-diversity in Switzerland was protected. He also looked to a country with a liberal progressive society, tolerant of marriage between all types of individuals, something which is lacking today. “Furthermore, as a representative of the young generation, supporting sustainable economic and financial policies is also important to me, as is reform of provision for old people,” he said.

When asked about how he felt his chances of election were, he admitted that there were those with greater chances and one had to be realistic. “Nevertheless, I look forward to the challenge and will be grateful for all support and every vote,” he said.

As to why he felt he, in particular, should be elected, he said he was standing for a Switzerland which was outward-looking, and enjoyable to live in, not just at present but in the future, too. “In order to be fit for the future, what we need are sound solution-oriented policies involving all generations,”  he insisted.