The Federal Council is against purchases: the Bundesplatz is too expensive for the federal government

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The SVP has had enough. In June, women across the country clamored for more equality – including on the Bundesplatz. Despite session! For a long time, large gatherings in front of the Federal Palace were prohibited during the session of Parliament. The work of the Council must remain undisturbed. Even party chairmen have been caught in their pro-fighter action.

However, in 2021, the city that owns the Bundesplatz changed the rules of the game. Demos are now also possible during sessions if the city council deems it appropriate. The main reason was the unauthorized occupation of the Bundesplatz by climate activists in the autumn of 2020. That was already a thorn in the side of Parliament even then. It demanded that the city leave space. But this was rejected by Bundesbern.

“What a charge!”

SVP Landraad member Christian Imark (41) is annoyed that the federal government does not want to change the situation either. “It is clear that the Federal Council wants to abdicate all responsibility, both for the maintenance of public order and for the security of the Bundesplatz,” he says angrily. “What an indictment against our country!”

After the women’s strike, Imark and his fellow party members had had enough: they called on the Federal Council to start negotiations with Bern. The federal government should buy the Bundesplatz.

But the Federal Council wants nothing to do with it. The basis for a purchase is missing. The Bundesplatz is legally regarded as a municipal road, which in principle could be redesignated as a national road. However, it does not meet the requirement of a transport route of national importance. At the same time, the road law of the city of Bern does not provide for the privatization of municipal roads. This is apparent from the government’s published response to the initiative.

Nothing would change anyway

To make a purchase possible, a legal basis would have to be created together with Bern. “It therefore seems unlikely that the federal government would decide on completely different regulations than those currently in force in the city of Bern,” the Federal Council estimates. Means: The square would continue to be used for weekly markets, state receptions or political gatherings. That means: Dear SVP, even if the federal government buys the property, nothing will change.

But that’s not all: led by Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (59), the Federal Council also made it clear that buying the property would be too expensive for him. The government warns that this would have “far-reaching financial and personal consequences”, without providing figures. In addition, there would be maintenance and operation, as well as liability in the event of accidents. The Federal Council does not want to do that.

“In the end, the taxpayer pays anyway”

Imark, on the other hand, is convinced that legal bases can be created. The SVP would like to push again with a push, he tells Blick.

Financial worries are incomprehensible. A purchase would be neutral on the balance sheet: ‘On the one hand money flows out, on the other hand assets are added.’ The square must actually be maintained, either by the city of Bern or by the federal government. “In the end, the taxpayer pays for it.”

The negative attitude of the Federal Council is not surprising. Because the advance is not the first attempt of the SVP. During the occupation of the Bundesplatz by climate protectors, Imark even wanted to have the city of Bern expropriated. However, the motion was never voted on. After two years it was written off as undone. With the Federal Council’s unequivocal answer, the chances of the SVP should not have increased. (dba)

Source:Blick