The government sees no need to make political party funding more transparent.
Keystone
In a message to parliament on Wednesday, the Swiss government says it rejects a people's initiative calling for more transparency in political party funding, and sees no reason to legislate on the issue.
This comes in response to an initiative launched by parties including the Social Democrats, Greens and centre-right Conservative Democrats, along with the Swiss branch of Transparency International. The initiative calls for parties to publish the origin of all donations over CHF10,000 ($10,290). In addition, individuals and committees who donate more than CHF100,000 to a campaign – or more than CHF10,000 per person – would have to declare the total amount they have donated and where it all came from. Accepting anonymous donations would be illegal.
But the government says these rules would be hard to reconcile with the particularities of the Swiss political system, such as federalism and direct democracy. The system means political forces control and counter-balance each other, Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga told the media.
This is despite repeated reprimands to Switzerland from the Council of Europe for opaque political party funding. Switzerland is the only member of the Council of Europe Group of States against CorruptionExternal link (Greco) that has not introduced legislation at national level with rules on transparency.
The cantons of Ticino, Geneva and Neuchâtel have adopted their own rules, while Schwyz and Fribourg have agreed to hold a popular vote on similar rules.
More
More
Swiss Politics
Switzerland reprimanded for opaque political financing
This content was published on
Council of Europe Group of States against CorruptionExternal link (Greco) criticised Switzerland’s “lack of progress” on the issue. At present, Swiss political parties are not obliged to declare the source of their funding, whether it be from individuals, corporations or other interest groups. “Greco expresses regret that the federal government is maintaining its position of…
Thyssenkrupp Presta cuts 570 jobs in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
This content was published on
The group specialising in the production of steering systems for cars, will cut up to 570 jobs in Liechtenstein and the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden.
Poll: 63% of Swiss want to vote again on fighter jet procurement
This content was published on
Two out of three Swiss people want to vote again on the purchase of a jet for the air force, according to a representative poll published today by the information portal Infosperber.
Switzerland halts work on futuristic underground freight transport facility
This content was published on
The federal government, the local cantons and the city of Zurich are suspending further work on the Cargo Sous Terrain project for an underground freight transport facility.
Lucerne wants to introduce a flat-rate naturalisation fee
This content was published on
The city council would like to introduce a flat fee of CHF500 per application. This would be significantly lower than the current fee, which is based on the amount of processing required.
Roche claims success against breast cancer in phase III clinical trials
This content was published on
Roche has achieved positive results from the phase III evERA study combining its experimental treatments giredestrant and everolimus against a specific form of breast cancer.
Swiss intelligence not doing enough against left-wing extremism
This content was published on
The Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) is not utilising all the resources available within the legal framework in the fight against left-wing extremist violence.
Anti-mafia crusader Roberto Saviano receives thunderous applause in Switzerland
This content was published on
Roberto Saviano appeared at the Endorfine International Festival. Lugano. Stating that after 20 years of struggle he does not intend to leave victory to the Mafia, the Neapolitan writer drew thunderous applause.
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.
Read more
More
Fribourg and Schwyz to become more politically transparent
This content was published on
Political parties and organisations in cantons Schwyz and Fribourg will have to declare their finances during campaigns for elections and votes.
This content was published on
“Too much money in elections hollows out democracy,” Annan told the audience at the Geneva Graduate Institute attending a public debate entitled, “Are elections giving democracy a bad name?” “We must recognise that the growing and sometimes pernicious influence of money, especially in elections even in well-established and seemingly stable democracies really does distort democracy.”…
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.