The House of Representatives unanimously agreed to call on the government to set up a panel, which issues recommendations in cases of cultural property confiscated by Germany’s Nazi regime during the Second World War.
Social Democratic parliamentarian Jon Pult argued that other countries, including Germany, France and Britain, established similar national panels of experts.
The house also came out in favour of extending the mandate of a future commission to help assess suspected cases of cultural goods acquired in a “colonial context”.
The other parliamentary chamber, the Senate, still has to discuss the proposals.
Interior Minister Alain Berset told parliament on Wednesday that the government was willing to prepare a bill, but it rejected proposals to define a detailed framework.
The debate came amid a barrage of criticism over the display of Emil Georg Bührle’s controversial collection at Zurich’s fine arts museum, which opened last October.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Swiss reject biodiversity and pension reform proposals
This content was published on
The man who injured three children on Tuesday has been detained in pre-trial custody after a request by the public prosecutor’s office.
UN and global ski federation sign climate change agreement
This content was published on
The UN and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation want to draw attention to the effects of climate change on winter sports.
Swiss initiative wants to boost security of medical supplies
This content was published on
A people’s initiative calling for Switzerland to boost the development, production and storage of drugs has been submitted in Bern.
Public prosecutor wants custody for Zurich knife attacker
This content was published on
The Zurich public prosecutor's office has requested that the man who attacked and injured three children with a knife in Zurich on Tuesday be remanded in custody.
This content was published on
Swiss judges want to dissolve the traditional link between parties and court members, including mandatory contributions to a political party.
A full-time workload increases risk of cancer, says Swiss study
This content was published on
Full-time workers have an increased risk of cancer, say researchers from the University of Fribourg. The reasons for this are unclear.
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
Bern Art Museum restitutes two Otto Dix to presumed owners
This content was published on
The tangled history of two watercolours by Dix illustrates the enormity of Cornelius Gurlitt’s tainted legacy for the Bern museum.
Miriam Cahn plans to pull works from Zurich Art Museum over Bührle Collection
This content was published on
Swiss artist Miriam Cahn wants to remove her works on display at the Zurich Art Museum in response to the outcry over the Bührle collection.
Swiss gallery to return Nazi era looted Constable painting
This content was published on
The council of La Chaux-de-Fonds, in canton Neuchâtel, had previously refused to repatriate the painting in 2009, but instead put a plaque next to the painting acknowledging its ownership history. In 1942, “Dedham from Langham” was one of 60 valuable paintings seized by the pro-Nazi French Vichy regime from John and Anna Jaffé, who were…
Nazi-looted art: Zurich museum and foundation agree to more transparency
This content was published on
The Kunsthaus Zurich and the Bührle Foundation say they will disclose their contracts concerning the loan of 203 works of art.
New contract to manage controversial Bührle collection
This content was published on
The owners of the Bührle art collection and the Zurich Kunsthaus have signed a new contract to address various issues around the controversial works.
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.