Case Diethelm – what now?: Schwyz SVP threatens with forced exclusion

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The cantonal councilor Bernhard Diethelm (40) of the Schwyz SVP was sentenced on Monday by the Zurich court to a suspended prison sentence of eight months. The sentences were imposed for simple assault and illegal pornography. However, he was acquitted of serious charges, such as attempted rape.

What does the verdict mean for Diethelm’s further political career? Part of the party already distanced itself before the verdict of its old member. The SVP of the canton of Schwyz demanded that the local Wägital party suspend Diethelm’s membership.

Roman Bürgi, chairman of SVP Schwyz, announced on Tuesday that he will continue to demand Diethelm’s exclusion after the verdict.

Local party has gone into hiding

“The local party SVP Wägital was asked last week to suspend Bernhard Diethelm’s party membership immediately and until an acquittal,” Bürgi continued. However, the local party was given time to deliberate. Bürgi assumes that a decision will be made this week. Karl Mächler, chairman of SVP Wägital, has so far not been available to the media. However, apparently he is in contact with the cantonal SVP.

If the SVP Wägital does not comply with the expulsion request, the management of the SVP Kanton Schwyz wants to decide on a provisional expulsion of the entire local party (see “Scandal Section in the Canton of Schwyz”).

Diethelm himself did not want to know anything about a voluntary departure from his party. Last week he spoke about a private matter unrelated to his political activities. The Public Prosecution Service bases itself unilaterally on the statements of the prostitutes. Resigning as a cantonal councilor would be an admission of guilt for him.

But even Diethelm’s lawyer said during the trial that his client’s reputation had been damaged. “His political career in the conservative canton of Schwyz is over. It doesn’t matter what the verdict is.” (she)

Source:Blick