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With a funny Instagram video, Benno Scherrer (GLP) tries to score points in the Zurich government elections.
GLP Cantonal Councilor Benno Scherrer (57) wants to make the leap to the Zurich Government Council in 2023. A video should help. Scherrer shared it via Instagram on Sunday evening. Videos on social media are no longer new in political campaigns.
What is unusual, however, is that Scherrer does not advertise a political issue or his political program in the video. Instead, the video shows him in everyday situations: doing household chores, going to the movies, having dinner, and so on.
Politics, politics or politics
Without exception, however, the qualified middle school teacher lectures on political topics. The listeners seem to tolerate this rather than welcome it.
For example, he is sitting on the sofa with an acquaintance. Football is going well, but Scherrer hardly cares. He tries to get his friend enthusiastic about the European question – with moderate success.
‘Please choose Benno. I can not anymore!”
At the next table, Scherrer’s partner and a friend are drinking white wine. The latter asks, somewhat taken aback: «Tell me. Is he always like that?” The answer: “Yes, always.”
The same goes for the laundry room or for a fondue with friends. At the end, Scherrer’s partner speaks into the camera and pleads: “Please choose Benno – I can’t do it anymore!”
Model from the USA
The video is not meant to be taken seriously. As Scherrer says, it is based on a model from the USA. Republican Gerald Daugherty advertised his candidacy for Travis County Commissioner, a kind of county government, with an almost identical video in 2016.
The idea for the video came from the Farner agency, which is responsible for Scherrer’s government council campaign. But he was there immediately, according to Scherrer.
Video suits him well
He likes the idea of a campaign with a wink. “I’ve been doing canton politics very passionately for 18 years, which was sometimes challenging for my environment,” says Scherrer. That’s why the video suits him well.
His partner thought so too. She was immediately very open, says Scherrer. His friends probably recognized him a little bit in the script. Because the supporting roles are also cast from the circle of acquaintances.
Reactions are positive
The reactions are consistently positive. While Blick is on the phone with Scherrer, someone in the Zurich cantonal council just walks past Scherrer and gives him a thumbs up, Scherrer says: “My shoulder almost hurts from a pat on the back.”
So the humor resonates. Whether the video is also politically convincing will be seen at the beginning of next year. On February 12, the people of Zurich will go to the ballot box to elect their new government.