National Council does not want a room of silence in the parliament building
Published: Friday, Dec 22nd 2023, 08:40
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No room for silence and prayer is to be set up in the parliament building in Bern where Council members can retreat during sessions. This is the view of the National Council.
On Friday, it voted against a motion by former Ticino FDP National Councillor Rocco Cattaneo by 128 votes to 38, with 27 abstentions. Cattaneo had justified his motion by saying that the hectic pace during the sessions had increased significantly due to extraordinary events. This is now off the table.
Cattaneo argued that for some, prayer and contemplation are valuable in order to return to work focused and invigorated. There are also spaces for contemplation and meditation at airports and train stations, for example.
The administrative delegation - which is the landlord and is responsible for the ultimate management of the parliamentary administration - and the National Council office rejected the request. Speaker Roland Rino Büchel (SVP/SG) expressed understanding for the request and referred to the shortage of meeting rooms in the parliament building during the sessions.
It would also have to be decided what conditions should apply to the use of the space. In view of the denominational neutrality of the state, the room should be available to anyone who wanted to relax spiritually. According to Büchel, there are two little-used quiet rooms for Council members in the Bundeshaus Ost.
©Keystone/SDA
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