Swiss press interprets the role of the judiciary differently
Published: Wednesday, Apr 10th 2024, 06:10
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Following the climate ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, the majority of the Swiss-German press questioned the role of the judiciary in a direct democracy. Media in French-speaking Switzerland, on the other hand, saw the ruling as a call to action, as can be seen from the comment columns on Wednesday.
It is "highly problematic when climate protection is appropriated by international justice", wrote the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" in response to Tuesday's ruling. In Switzerland, parliament and the people make climate policy, not a group of judges.
The day before, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) had responded to the complaint by the Climate Seniors Association and found a violation of the Convention on Human Rights. According to the court, Switzerland has not fulfilled its duties in terms of climate protection.
Hardened fronts
According to a commentary by Tamedia, the climate protectors may have paid too little attention to one danger: "If the courts increasingly determine the course of climate policy, a large proportion of the population is unlikely to appreciate this."
The ruling is not only strange, but possibly counterproductive, wrote "Blick". It is still difficult to estimate "how hot the Strasbourg soup will be eaten", the newspaper wrote. However, the fronts in climate policy are likely to harden even further.
CH Media commented that Switzerland is unlikely to fundamentally change its climate legislation as a result of the ruling. In a direct democracy, findings such as the ruling only have the value that the electorate attaches to them. However, the decision should not be seen as political: "Anyone who dismisses this decision as political or questions the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice for Switzerland is devaluing the judicial system and human rights," wrote CH Media.
Taking responsibility
The ruling met with less resistance in the media in French-speaking Switzerland. The decision was a "humiliation" for Switzerland, according to a commentary by the ESH media group. In the past, people in this country have preferred to deny scientific findings.
The Swiss electorate is not prepared to give up their comfort, wrote "La Liberté". This was shown by the vote on the CO2 Act in 2021.
It is unpleasant when others point the finger at you, according to the commentary in "Le Temps". However, Switzerland, with its strong capacity for innovation, could be expected to show greater commitment. The government and parliament must now assume their responsibility for climate protection.
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