Overview of the first round in Geneva
In the race to fill a Geneva State Council seat left vacant by Antonio Hodgers, Greens candidate Nicolas Walder faced a stern challenge from UDC challenger Lionel Dugerdil. The day’s atmosphere mirrored a local spectacle rather than a routine ballot, with eight UDC supporters in light shirts and suspenders marching behind their candidate as a chorus of cow-bell sounds echoed through the Old Town streets. While the bells provided a colorful backdrop, the vote itself was a straightforward test of political alignment in a city that often balances progressive and conservative currents.
By mid-afternoon, attention focused on the provisional results as 95% of votes were tallied. Walder emerged with a clear lead, reflecting a strong base of support reinforced by his party’s alliance with the Socialists. The Greens’ candidate secured 29,910 votes, underscoring a durable urban appeal even as the right remained divided. Dugerdil, the UDC candidate, benefited from a mobilized conservative flank but could not translate that energy into a dominant share of the vote on Sunday.
Results at a glance
The first-round numbers show Walder in the strongest position, a position analysts characterize as secure yet not final. In a political landscape where the left and center-left have coalesced around his candidacy, Walder’s results suggest his message resonated in the city’s more densely populated communes. On the left, Rémy Pagani, candidate for the Union populaire, earned 6,831 votes, drawing some of the anti-establishment, anti-mainstream sentiment that the Greens have tried to capture. Pagani’s performance confirms a fragmented left that will need to consolidate to counter the Greens in the runoff.
Geographically, Walder’s vote share was strongest in urban communes, where environmental and social policies tend to receive more support. Conversely, the periphery showed mixed results, with communes such as Bardonnex and Bernex presenting pockets of support that could become pivotal in a tight runoff race. The overall pattern mirrors a broader Swiss trend: urban areas leaning toward progressive governance, while rural and semi-urban locales retain a more cautious leaning.
What the numbers imply for the runoff
With the first round behind them, all eyes turn to October 19, the date scheduled for the runoff. Walder’s lead gives him a tactical advantage, but the fragmented vote among the right and the potential realignment on the left mean the race remains competitive. Lionel Dugerdil, backed by the UDC, will likely intensify efforts to mobilize conservative voters who did not fully coalesce around him in this first pass, while the Greens could press their advantage by emphasizing local issues such as housing, mobility, and sustainable development.
Analysts note that the outcome will depend not only on who turns up to vote in the second round but also on the degree to which coalitions and endorsements shape voter behavior. The presence of a strong left candidate in Pagani also raises questions about potential post-second-round alignments that could influence governance in the canton’s capital.
What to watch next
As October 19 approaches, several factors will shape the eventual composition of Geneva’s executive. Turnout will be crucial, as will the ability of Walder and Dugerdil to mobilize their respective bases. Issues like housing affordability, transportation policy, and the city’s approach to climate action are expected to be central themes in the final stretch of the campaign. The runoff will test whether Walder can translate urban support into a broader mandate across the canton or whether Dugerdil can mobilize the conservative cohort that remains uneasily split by internal divisions on the right.
Conclusion
The first round has established a clear dynamic in the Geneva State Council race, with Nicolas Walder holding a lead that makes the October runoff highly significant for the future direction of the cantonal government. The campaign will now focus on turnout, coalition-building, and policy differentiation as voters prepare to decide who should steer Geneva’s governance in the years ahead.
