Geneva politician Pierre Maudet received a further blow on Wednesday when the national executive committee of his Radical-Liberal party called for his resignation. Maudet refuses to step down.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos,sb
On Tuesday it was a public petition of almost 5,000 signatures; on Wednesday, it was the national leadership of his party. The pressure on Pierre Maudet has been ratcheted a notch further.
Following questioning in Bern by the national executive committee of his centre-right Radical-Liberal party – a process that the Geneva politician had previously opted to eschew – the party’s leadership asked unanimously for Pierre Maudet to step down.
“I don’t understand his behaviour,” party head Petra Gössi told journalists in Bern, saying that Maudet had not done or said anything to restore confidence.
The decision comes a day after Gössi had publicly stated that the former Geneva president was holding on too long as a minister amidst the fallout from his disputed 2015 trip to Abu Dhabi that has also embroiled his party in controversy. “If I were Pierre Maudet, I would have already resigned,” Gössi told RTS.
However, the national executive of the party can only recommend a resignation; it cannot oblige it. And this is something Maudet remains reluctant to do.
“In times of crisis, it’s important to keep a clear head,” he said on Wednesday. Resigning from his role as minister in the Geneva cantonal minister is “not foreseen at this point”, though he has previously admitted that, if found guilty by the investigation into the circumstances of his 2015 trip, he will then step down.
Maudet, the former Geneva president and candidate for the Swiss government, is currently under scrutiny by the Geneva Attorney General’s Office over the trip he and his family took to Abu Dhabi to attend a Formula 1 Grand Prix race in November 2015.
The trip was allegedly funded by the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, to the tune of several tens of thousands of Swiss francs. Maudet initially said the journey was private and paid for by a friend, but later acknowledged “having hidden part of the truth”. He denies any conflict of interests.
Amid the fallout, Maudet temporarily stepped down in September from his role as head of the cantonal government. He also gave up his hierarchical responsibility for oversight of the police and temporarily stepped down as head of the Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors.
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.
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
New Geneva ministers must swear never to accept benefits
This content was published on
This change to the official swearing-in text was made in response the controversy surrounding Geneva minister Pierre Maudet.
Geneva expenses scandal sparks calls for more transparency
This content was published on
Members of the Geneva city council are under fire for claiming exorbitant amounts for expenses, such as champagne, taxis and telephone bills.
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.