New Schaffhausen Council of States is sworn in despite election complaint
Published: Monday, Dec 4th 2023, 16:40
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The new Schaffhausen Councillor of States Simon Stocker (SP) was sworn in on Monday in Bern - although an election complaint is pending against him. Stocker is accused of not actually living in Schaffhausen, but in Zurich.
The State Chancellery of the Canton of Schaffhausen confirmed to Keystone-SDA that two Schaffhausen voters had lodged a corresponding election complaint. The government council is expected to make a decision on this on Tuesday. The "Schaffhauser Nachrichten" reported on the complaint on Saturday.
Despite the pending complaint, Stocker was sworn in as the new member of the Council of States as planned. In Schaffhausen, election appeals only have a suspensive effect if the government council decides to do so.
Stocker rejects accusations
Speculation about the former Schaffhausen city councillor's actual place of residence and center of life could already be read in the "Weltwoche" last Thursday. It said that he lived in a "multi-room apartment" in the city of Zurich with his wife and a child.
Stocker described the allegations to the Schaffhauser Nachrichten newspaper as a "grotesque insinuation". They did indeed have an apartment in Zurich. His wife needed it during the week for professional reasons in order to commute to work in Lenzburg AG and to attend evening appointments. "But the center of our lives is in Schaffhausen," Stocker continued.
Registered in Schaffhausen again since 2022
According to Stocker, it is correct that he was registered in Zurich in 2021. However, he has been registered in Schaffhausen again since January 1, 2022 and also pays his taxes there. The Schaffhausen cantonal council will now have to clarify whether or not Stocker meets the legal requirements for eligibility in the canton of Schaffhausen.
The decision may be appealed to the Schaffhausen High Court and ultimately to the Federal Supreme Court. Whether or not Stocker can continue in office until a final decision is made depends on whether or not the appeal is granted suspensive effect.
©Keystone/SDA
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