Andreas Glarner announces retirement from politics and relinquishes federal and cantonal posts

Herz — World Desk · 28 August 2026 at 18:42 · 30s summary · 2 min read

What we know

Andreas Glarner announced on Thursday that he was leaving politics, according to Le Temps. He is relinquishing his seat in the National Council, the lower house of Switzerland’s federal parliament, and the presidency of the Aargau branch of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP).

In a statement, the Aargau politician said he had faced no internal pressure. He wants to hand his responsibilities to people who are “younger and more competent”.

Andreas Glarner’s political career

Glarner, 63, has been a member of the SVP since 1992. He previously served as mayor of the Aargau municipality of Oberwil-Lieli.

He also spent nearly 15 years in Aargau’s cantonal parliament and has served in the National Council since 2015.

1. 1992
   Andreas Glarner joins the SVP.
2. For nearly 15 years
   He serves in Aargau’s cantonal parliament.
3. Since 2015
   He serves in the National Council.
4. Thursday
   He announces his retirement from politics and relinquishes his posts.

Sarah Regez’s political career

Sarah Regez, 32, entered the Basel-Landschaft cantonal parliament this year. She had been the substitute candidate for Matthias Liechti, who was elected to the cantonal government.

She joined the SVP in 2021 and subsequently advanced through the leadership structures of its youth wing in Basel-Landschaft and then at national level.

Regez became the party’s Head of Strategy in 2024. She had failed to win a seat in the National Council in the 2023 federal election.

Closely aligned political positions

Le Temps describes Glarner and Regez as ideologically very close. According to the newspaper, they frequently take positions on the far right of their party.

Their interventions have also caused internal divisions within the SVP, Le Temps reports.