People’s Party hits Graubünden branch
The leadership of the rightwing Swiss People's Party has opened proceedings to decertify its branch in canton Graubünden.
The decision on Saturday in Zurich follows that canton’s support of justice minister and party member Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, whom the People’s Party had demanded step down.
Widmer-Schlumpf, who has the support of Switzerland’s six other cabinet ministers, has said she intended to stay in office and would not be “intimidated”.
The 84-13 vote to open proceedings followed a “lively and constructive” discussion, according to People’s Party president Toni Brunner. The meeting was attended by 97 of 115 members of the party’s central committee.
National party delegates will vote definitively on the issue on July 5.
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