Martin Candinas
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| Member of the National Council of Switzerland | |
| Assumed office 2011 | |
| Constituency | Canton of Grisons |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 August 1980 Ilanz, Switzerland |
| Political party | The Centre |
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Martin Candinas (born 20 August 1980, Ilanz, Switzerland[1]) is a politician of The Center (DM) a member of the National Council of Switzerland and since December 2022, its president. He speaks Romansh which use he supports as a fourth official language in Switzerland.
Martin Candidas was born in Ilanz and graduated from high school in Chur with a Matura.[2] Following he he worked with the health insurance Helsana.[2] In 2006 he was promoted to director of the branch 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] Since 2017 he works for 20% at Helsana as 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]
He entered the Grand Council of Grisons with twenty-six years of age, being the youngest at the time.[4] In the Federal Elections of 2011, he was elected into the National Council.[4] He was subsequently re-elected in 2015 and 2019.[4] He was taken into consideration as an Executive Councilor in Grisons for the elections in 2018, but he declined.[3] 2021, he assumed the Vice-Presidency of the National Council and in a rotating manner[5] was elected to its Presidency in November 2022.[4] The Canton of Grisons didn't count with a President of the National Council for thirty-seven years[6] and his election was solemnly celebrated in attendance of the Federal Councilor Viola Amherd in the Disentis Abbey and later also Chur.[7]
In the National Council he became known to defend the interests of the mountainous cantons. He supported the farmers in their aim to be able to shoot the wolves and also suggested that municipalities with over 20% of vacation homes should be allowed to provide its habitants with possibilities to enlarge their homes.[4] He opposed the right for marriage for homosexuals.[4] He is one of only three members in the National Council who speak Romansh and as the National Councils Vice-President he used to begin sessions with a phrase in this native language, which he has mentioned, he will do also as its president.[4]
Candinas is married,[1] the father of three children[4] and has his place of origin in Sumvitg.[1]
