Distribution of Departments in the Federal Council Under Investigation
-
Loading... - Stella Grant
- 22 Jul 2024
- 52 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
On December 14, 2023, the departments within the Swiss Federal Council were reassigned, leading to some unexpected changes and subsequent discontent. One notable shift was Elisabeth Baume-Schneider's move to the Department of the Interior after serving only a year in the Department of Justice and Police. Newly elected Federal Councillor Beat Jans took over Baume-Schneider's previous responsibilities.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office has initiated criminal proceedings concerning the department allocation within the Federal Council. These proceedings are directed against unknown individuals under suspicion of breach of official secrecy. The Federal Prosecutor's Office confirmed the initiation of these proceedings following a report from CH-Media newspapers. Further details from the Federal Prosecutor's Office remain undisclosed at this time. The Federal Chancellery has reportedly filed a complaint in this matter.
Following the departmental reassignment, there were media reports indicating dissatisfaction within the Federal Council. Federal President Viola Amherd was reportedly informed of Baume-Schneider's desire to change departments only shortly before the meeting. This last-minute revelation and the subsequent chairing of the meeting by Amherd have been points of contention.
The investigation highlights potential issues of transparency and communication within the Federal Council during the department reassignment process. The breach of official secrecy, if proven, could have significant implications for the integrity and confidentiality expected in such high-level government decisions.
The outcome of the investigation could lead to stricter protocols and better communication channels within the Federal Council to prevent similar issues in the future. As the proceedings continue, further details are anticipated to shed light on the exact nature of the alleged breach and the individuals involved.
