Martin Candinas (born 20 August 1980[1]) is a politician of The Center (DM) a member of the National Council of Switzerland. He speaks Romansh, Switzerland's fourth official language.
Martin Candinas | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Member of the National Council of Switzerland | |
| Assumed office 2011 | |
| Constituency | Canton of Grisons |
| President of the National Council | |
| In office 28 November 2022 – 3 December 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Irène Kälin |
| Succeeded by | Eric Nussbaumer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 August 1980 Ilanz, Switzerland |
| Political party | The Centre (until 2020 CVP) |
Early life
Candidas was born in Ilanz/Sumvitg and graduated with a Matura from high school in Chur.[2][1]
Career
He worked for health insurance Helsana.[2] In 2006 he was promoted to branch director in Chur.[2] After he was elected to the National Council in 2011, he decreased his pensum to 50%.[3] Until 2017 he was in charge of the sales department at the Helsana branches in Samedan, Chur and Glarus.[3] In 2017 he became a specialist in Partner- and Key account management.[3] In 2016 he assumed the presidencies of the Swiss Helicopter Association and Litra, which provides information on public transport.[3]
Politics
At age 26, the youngest at the time, Candinas entered the Grand Council of Grisons[4] in 2006.[1] In the Federal Elections of 2011, he was elected to the National Council.[4] He was subsequently re-elected in 2015 and 2019.[4] He was considered as an Executive Councilor in Grisons for the elections in 2018, but he declined.[3] In 2021, he assumed the Vice-Presidency of the National Council and elected [5] to the rotating Presidency in November 2022.[4] The Canton of Grisons had not had a President of the National Council for thirty-seven years[6] and his election was celebrated in attendance of the Federal Councilor Viola Amherd in the Disentis Abbey and later Chur.[7]
Political views
Candinas defended the interests of the mountainous cantons. He supported the farmers in their aim to be allowed to hunt wolves and suggested that municipalities with over 20% of vacation homes should be allowed to provide inhabitants with options to enlarge their homes.[4] He opposed gay marriage,[4] because he believes that the possibility to adopt a child should only be possible for a man and a woman.[8] He is one of only three members in the National Council who speak Romansh and as the National Council's Vice-President, he used to begin sessions with a phrase in his native language, which he has stated, he will do as its president.[4]