After the Federal Administrative Court’s Maurer ruling: Will the Federal Council’s speech disappear before the votes?

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It’s been the same tune for half a century: a few weeks before the vote, an alphorn sounds on Swiss television and radio, then a federal councilor steps into the microphones, sometimes more or less energetically, to explain to the people the position of the state government to explain the next vote. For example, Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter (59) gave information three weeks ago about the OECD minimum tax, which was adopted on Sunday.

Such speeches have long been the subject of criticism – of course, primarily from those who disagree with the Bundesrat when it comes to a proposal. As the French-language Swiss newspaper “La Liberté” reports, the Federal Administrative Court must now decide whether this tradition violates the diversity of opinion.

Because the independent complaints body for radio and television decided in the autumn of 2022: The speech of Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer (72) about the Frontex proposal did not meet the special requirements of balance, impartiality and fairness. Opponents could not express their views equally.

SRG asks for clarification

The SRG is now taking the verdict to the Federal Administrative Court. “Depending on the decision of the Federal Administrative Court, the speeches will be modified or deleted,” says SRG media spokeswoman Sibylle Tornay about “La Liberté”.

The Bundesrat, on the other hand, takes the view that it must provide voters with complete, objective and proportionate information. On this basis, “the Federal Council believes that these speeches are not only justified, but also necessary,” said Ursula Eggenberger, spokeswoman for the Federal Chancellery. The speeches had proven themselves.

In politics, opinions are divided: Trade union leader and national councilor Pierre-Yves Maillard (55) considers the speeches illegal, writes “La Liberté”. The other side must also have its say. For FDP national councilor Jacqueline de Quattro (62), on the other hand, airtime is “essential” for the Federal Council. (brother)

Source:Blick