The Liberals’ delaying tactic: the FDP does not want to decide on the oligarchic task force until after the elections

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For GroenLinks member Franziska Ryser (31), one thing is clear: Switzerland is not doing enough to enforce sanctions against Russian oligarchs. That is why last year she called on Switzerland to join the international sanctions authorities and in particular the Repo Taskforce. This tracks down Russian funds.

Only Switzerland’s participation can ensure that Switzerland no longer serves as a refuge and safe haven for Russian oligarchs and their money, the Greens argued. However, there is still great skepticism, especially among the SVP and also among some FDP representatives.

But suddenly FDP President Thierry Burkart (48) spoke out in favor of joining the oligarch task force. And now? FDP faction leader Damien Cottier (48) has submitted an application for Ryser’s proposal. In it he demands that Ryser’s proposal be first sent to the responsible committee for preliminary examination. “Before any decision is made, some outstanding questions must be taken into account,” he wrote in his statement. He has questions about data security or Switzerland’s autonomy.

Bad egg politics

Parliament approved Cottier’s motion on Wednesday afternoon with 101 votes in favor, 77 against and 7 abstentions. This meant that a possible entry into the task force was further postponed – until after the parliamentary elections!

Cottier’s boyish trick annoys SP state councilor Fabian Molina (33): “The FDP noticed during the election campaign that the population finally wants to take effective action against the Russian oligarchs and is apparently playing along. But now she is trying to postpone the decision until after the elections and then reject it,” he tells Blick. The FDP pursues “politics for the bad eggs in the financial center,” the Social Democrat complains.

Cottier defends himself against the accusation of delay: it is a necessary discussion. “This is a constant practice within the Council of States.” It is rarer in the National Council, but in this case it is “justified in view of its importance”.

Back and forth

Nevertheless, Cottier’s approach is special, since FDP boss Burkart had spoken out a week ago for Switzerland to join the international task force to track down the money of Russian oligarchs. Burkart said in the “Tagesschau” that he sees no reason why Switzerland should not join. “On the contrary: we would have the opportunity there to put forward our position and show that we are already very active on this issue,” the FDP leader emphasized. Earlier, the head of the Bankers Association, Roman Studer, had also commented in this direction.

The Federal Council and the federal government have so far seen things differently: In an interview with the “NZZ”, Helene Budliger Artieda (58), head of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), said she saw little reason why Switzerland would join the task force. Switzerland already exchanges ideas efficiently with these countries.

Apparently people abroad see things differently: diplomats from France, Italy, Germany, the US, Canada, Japan and Britain called on Switzerland in March to become more involved in the search for Russian money.

Source:Blick