Maudet steps aside from Geneva presidency amid scandal
Pierre Maudet, head of the Geneva cantonal government, at a press conference on September 5
Keystone
Embroiled in controversy, Geneva President Pierre Maudet temporarily stepped down from his role as head of the cantonal government, the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA reported on Thursday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Français
fr
L’étau se resserre un peu plus autour de Pierre Maudet
Maudet, who has been under scrutiny since admitting to an expenses-paid trip to Abu Dhabi in 2015, is also giving up hierarchical responsibility for oversight of the police.
The announcementExternal link at a press conference in Geneva on Thursday comes after a report by Swiss public broadcaster SRF revealed documents showing that Lebanese businessmen linked to Maudet are involved in a construction project near the city’s airport.
The presidential department is temporarily entrusted to Antonio Hodgers, the cantonal vice-president. Responsibility for the Geneva police was given to Mauro Poggia, deputy head of the security department.
This new division of tasks was decided at an extraordinary session of the Geneva government on Thursday morning.
The former Federal Council candidate initially said that it was a private trip, paid for by a friend. But the head of Geneva’s cantonal government last week acknowledged “having hidden part of the truth”.
The public prosecutor claims Maudet accepted flights and accommodation for himself, his family, and his chief of staff amounting to several tens of thousands of Swiss francs. It says the costs were paid for by the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed bin Al-Nahyan, who had invited him to watch a Formula 1 race.
It adds that there were several members of the Geneva property sector involved in the organisation of the trip, without giving further information.
On Thursday, the Geneva government said in a statement that it deplored the fact that Maudet had given false information to the government several times and had violated rules of protocol and acceptance of gifts.
The statement said Maudet had announced his decision to temporarily hand over the presidency to “preserve the serenity of the institutions” and to extend the “watertight perimeter” between the Geneva prosecutor’s office and the department of security, of which Maudet is in charge.
More
More
Geneva president continues to deny conflict of interest
This content was published on
A report by Swiss public broadcaster SRF has uncovered new links between Lebanese businessmen under-fire Pierre Maudet.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
This content was published on
Geneva cantonal public prosecutor says it wants to open an investigation into the head of the Geneva cantonal government Pierre Maudet.
This content was published on
The time is ripe to properly organise the development of Greater Geneva, Pierre Maudet, the new Geneva president, tells swissinfo.ch.
This content was published on
Three candidates from the centre-right Radical Party are vying to become the seventh minister in Switzerland’s cabinet. Who are they?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.