Bernese judiciary wants immunity of SVP politicians lifted
Published: Saturday, Aug 31st 2024, 10:30
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The Bernese judiciary is investigating whether the SVP campaign with the slogan "New normality?" violated the anti-discrimination norm last year. It has asked the federal parliament to waive the immunity of two SVP politicians.
These are Councillor of States Marco Chiesa and former National Councillor Peter Keller, as can be seen on the parliament's homepage. The requests originate from the Bern Attorney General's Office. It confirmed a report by CH-Media on Saturday upon request.
Formally, the proceedings are therefore being conducted against persons unknown, as no proceedings may be opened against the persons concerned before the immunity is lifted. At the time of the 2023 campaign, Chiesa was SVP party president and Keller was general secretary.
With the slogan "New normality?", the SVP denounced the criminal activities of asylum seekers and foreigners. In October 2023, it wrote on the short messaging service X: "Dreirosenanlage (BS): Many dealers are asylum seekers from North Africa."
Criminal complaints were received in several cantons, including Bern, including from the Eritrean Media Association Switzerland. With selective reports on criminal acts, the SVP is trying to create the impression that people of foreign ethnicity are criminal and dangerous. In doing so, they belittle these people.
According to the website of the Federal Assembly, requests to waive the immunity of members of the Council are dealt with by the relevant committees of both chambers. In the National Council, an immunity committee set up specifically for this purpose is responsible. In the Council of States, the requests are dealt with by the Legal Affairs Committee.
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