The SVP fears a conflict of interest: parliamentarians would have to give up dual nationality

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SP co-leader Cédric Wermuth (37) would have to surrender his Italian citizenship in addition to his Swiss passport. SVP National Councilor Alfred Heer (62) would have to give up his Italian citizenship, just as the Green Sibel Arslan (43) would have to give up her Turkish or FDP council colleague Andri Silberschmidt (29) his German.

Dual nationality in the federal parliament is a thorn in the side of SVP national councilor Mike Egger (31). He therefore demands that councilors must give up any second citizenship as soon as they take office. He wants to submit a corresponding proposal to the House of Representatives this week.

Voters must be able to count on undivided loyalty

“It cannot be ruled out that members of the Federal Assembly who are also foreign nationals could find themselves in conflicts of interest to the detriment of Switzerland,” says Egger, justifying his claim.

Ultimately, international networks are increasing – and with it the chance of political conflicts with other states, says Egger. “At the same time, it must be guaranteed that voters can count on the members of the National Council and the Council of States for their undivided loyalty to the Swiss state.”

It should still be possible for dual nationals and Swiss citizens abroad to stand as candidates for a seat in parliament. If the elections are successful, they will have to forego the second passport.

“I certainly have no problems with my loyalty”

This is not well received by those affected. “Politicians should be judged by their actions, not by their ancestors,” Silberschmidt says. Add to this: Even if he gave up his German citizenship, his mother would remain German and he would still have German relatives. “I have never had a conflict of interest because of this,” assures Silberschmidt.

SVP man Heer also does not want to know anything about the demands from his own ranks. “I certainly have no problems with my loyalty,” he clarifies. “But ultimately the voters must judge whether I am doing my job well in Bern.” Add to that: if you decide on such an arrangement, it would also have to cover the entire federal government, where the negotiations are conducted and the legal bases are drawn up.

Nowadays it is not a legal problem to have multiple passports and therefore sit in the Swiss parliament. Politically, however, the topic is worth discussing again. SVP faction leader Marco Chiesa (49) used a parliamentary initiative to demand that federal council members should not be given second citizenship. But the initiative failed.

Cassis decided not to make a second attempt

The topic was hotly debated just before the election of FDP federal councilor Ignazio Cassis (62) in 2017. The then candidate voluntarily gave up his Italian citizenship.

SVP candidate for the Federal Council Michèle Blöchliger (56) was the latest to stumble over her dual nationality last year. Contrary to initial statements, she had dual citizenship – and immediately pulled herself out of the Federal Council race when she had to correct her own statement.

Since mid-2022, all parliamentarians must give up their dual nationality if they have one. SVP National Councilor Egger commented: “According to media reports, 23 members in the new legislature that recently started have reported one or more foreign nationalities.” That is almost a tenth of all council members. For Egger, the need for action seems clear.

Source:Blick