State Secretary is not allowed to take office: Politicians demand an investigation into the Ruch security affair

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

The newly elected State Secretary for Security would have been a security risk for Switzerland. That is why Jean-Daniel Ruch (60) will not take office on January 1, 2024. Blick research shows that his lifestyle makes him vulnerable to blackmail. Ministry of Defense (VBS) confirms that Ruch has decided not to become State Secretary.

As ambassador, Ruch has undergone an extensive personal security screening (PSP), the highest level of federal security screening that requires interviewees to self-disclose information about their sexual lives. The Federal Chancellery carried out this PSP and forwarded the results to the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA).

No problem

Its boss, EDA Secretary General Markus Seiler (54), was on the search committee that was looking for the new State Secretary for Security Policy. The former head of the Secret Service had apparently expressed no or no serious concerns about Ruch’s staff, so the committee decided in Ruch’s favor.

Ruch’s security check, carried out by the Federal Chancellery, was still valid when he was elected in September. There was therefore no additional investigation by the DDPS of federal councilor Viola Amherd (61).

Refused

However, after Ruch’s election was announced in mid-September, concerns quickly arose. His lifestyle was a problem. According to information from Blick, VBS confronted Jean-Daniel Ruch with the rumors. Ruch is said to have denied the allegations.

The situation is of course different for the DDPS. The designated State Secretary for Security was no longer tenable for the department. The question now is: has the PSP been insufficiently implemented or have risks come to light that were not taken seriously by the EDA and not communicated to the DDPS?

Research required

FDP President Thierry Burkart (48) demands clarity: “It is difficult to estimate whether the security check failed in this case without knowing the specific allegations. But we will certainly have to investigate this,” says the security politician. He was interested in how that happened.

And the centrist security politician Alois Gmür (68), who is leaving parliament, also wants to know what exactly happened: “We now need an administrative investigation at the EDA to determine where mistakes happened.”

The federal government also needs the books of Green National Councilor Marionna Schlatter (42). She adds that it is surprising that such problems can arise in a key safety position. And then: “You now need to take a closer look at the assessment process and the personal security checks.” It is also important to arrange how a new person can be appointed head of the State Secretariat for Security Policy without any problems.

And SP national councilor Priska Seiler Graf (55) adds: “Someone in such an office must have absolute integrity. If current security controls cannot guarantee this, the company audit committee must ensure this. And a crime requires an administrative investigation by the EDA.

Ruch leaves the EDA

As the FDFA announced upon request, it has taken note of Jean-Daniel Ruch’s decision to relinquish the position of State Secretary for Security Policy. “He is also leaving the FDFA at his own request,” said a spokesperson. Ruch will remain ambassador in the Turkish capital Ankara until the end of the year. He will permanently leave the department on June 30, 2024.

And: “Jean-Daniel Ruch will not comment further on this subject.” Not even about the specific accusations against him.

Source:Blick