Swiss judges want to disentangle the judiciary and politics
Published: Wednesday, Oct 2nd 2024, 14:20
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Swiss judges want to completely break the traditional link between parties and court members with regard to mandate contributions. A majority would like to see a reform of the existing system.
The results of a survey of professional judges in Switzerland on the relationship between the judiciary and politics show the need to clarify these connections, the Swiss Association of Judges (SVR) announced on Wednesday.
The respondents are critical of the current system of appointment and re-election. Access to a judgeship is often at the suggestion of a political party. Court members also have to be re-elected by a political body at regular intervals.
According to the SVR, a large majority is against the retention of mandate contributions. Such a contribution is paid annually by the court member to his or her political party. This Swiss peculiarity hardly seems compatible with the principle of the independence of the judiciary, wrote the SVR.
Around 1,250 judges in Switzerland were contacted as part of the survey. Responses from 935 people were used for the evaluation. The survey took place last summer.
©Keystone/SDA
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