Swiss Politician Faces Legal Action Over Tweet

Published: 2024-11-18

In a significant development, the Immunity Commission of the Swiss National Council has decided to lift the immunity of SVP National Councilor Andreas Glarner, allowing for a potential legal proceeding against him.

Glarner is under scrutiny for an Islam-critical tweet following violent incidents in Germany, which led to accusations of racial discrimination.

The commission's decision, passed by a narrow 5-4 vote, marks a rare instance where a politician's social media activity is not protected by parliamentary immunity.

Meanwhile, the commission has decided to retain the immunity of Marco Chiesa and Peter Keller, citing their statements as part of their parliamentary duties.

The cases of Thomas Aeschi and Michael Graber, involved in a physical altercation with police during a parliamentary session, remain unresolved as further investigations are needed.

This decision underscores the delicate balance between free speech and accountability for public officials.