On Monday there was a scandal in the cantonal council of Zurich. SP government councilor Jacqueline Fehr (59) apparently refused to shake hands with environmental lawyer and SVP cantonal councilor Valentin Landmann (72) and withdrew the first name.
SVP cantonal councilor Claudio Schmid (51) reports this on Facebook. Landmann confirms the incident: “She raised her hands in a defensive gesture and refused to shake my hand in greeting.”
Data scandal led to scandal
As a reminder, both Justice Director Fehr and lawyer Landmann are involved in the data scandal at the Zurich Ministry of Justice. Sensitive data had ended up in Zurich’s drug scene because the judiciary had carelessly disposed of hard drives. The data reached Beizer Roland Gisler (58), whose lawyer is a country man.
This all happened before Fehr’s reign. However, she is accused of knowing about the data breach and not making it public.
The fact that Landmann was not exactly holding back in the affair was probably the reason for Fehr to keep his distance. The SVP cantonal council says: “Everyone has to decide for themselves who they want to shake hands with, but I am surprised that a senior magistrate from Zurich reacts so uncertainly.”
Group leader also surprised
SVP party leader Martin Pretty (53) was not there when the incident happened. However, he says he has heard of it. Actually, it’s a matter between the two. The resident of Zurich finds the whole thing “very special”. It is especially unusual for the debate culture in the council: “Normally you greet each other in the canton council and you talk to each other, even if you have a different opinion,” says Schreiner.
For Landmann, Fehr’s behavior is incomprehensible – especially since he never attacked Fehr in the case, according to the cantonal council. “Not yet,” he adds.
Jacqueline Fehr declined to respond to Blick’s request.