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Lauber’s seat trembles: this is how it continues now
The parliament’s judicial commission has taken the first step toward impeachment by federal prosecutor Michael Lauber. This remains competitive.
It is a date that Michael Lauber will not soon forget. Yesterday, Wednesday, the judicial commission of the united federal assembly took the first step towards impeachment proceedings against the federal prosecutor. However, before a decision is made on whether such a move will actually be launched, Lauber has the right to present his views on the 13-member parliamentary commission. To this end, the Commission has called him for next Tuesday.
The impeachment proceedings could be a reality in a few days: US Attorney Michael Lauber. Image: KEYSTONE
If possible, a decision should also be made whether to actually initiate impeachment proceedings. This was said by the President of the Commission, FDP Council of States, Andrea Caroni (FDP, AR), last night before the media. It would be the first impeachment process in the history of the modern state.
The number of charges against Lauber is large.
However, this would not be a surprise. The federal prosecutor is difficult to count: The outbreak before the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona Summer fairy tale process due to limitations. These were millions of unresolved payments before the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Lauber, 54, is accused of having met FIFA chief Gianni Infantino several times without registering him correctly. The federal prosecutor doesn’t even want to be able to remember one of the meetings.
To date, it has not been fully clarified who was there with everything, which is particularly delicate: if, as some suspect, he was an investigator of the Lauber group, several other soccer procedures could explode.
The State Councilor Andrea Caroni, FDP-AR, President of the Judicial Commission of Parliament last night before the media. Image: KEYSTONE
As early as March, the supervisory authority concluded that the federal prosecutor had violated several official duties. The authority judged that he had “repeatedly told the lie, acted unfairly” and hindered the authority’s investigation. Furthermore, Lauber was surprised by the “lack of clarity” and “essentially shows a wrong professional understanding.” The supervisory authority reduced their wages by eight percent for one year. “The sum of his breaches of duty is significant.”
Commission President Caroni cited the allegations found in the oversight report as an important reason to consider impeachment procedures. The federal prosecutor was also asked about other incidents that had been known in the media since the report was released.
Lauber still seems ready to fight
Michael Lauber himself noted the “invitation,” the prosecutor announced on request. “Of course, it is available to the judicial commission for more information.”
In Bern, there is speculation that the federal prosecutor could withdraw from the process by resigning. But yesterday the federal prosecutor showed a willingness to fight: the report, which the supervisory authority had presented, “was not a conclusive finding,” emphasizes Lauber. He first had to “endure a judicial review.”
In fact, Lauber has filed a complaint with the Federal Administrative Court against the supervisory authority’s report, which was devastating to him. A sentence is still pending. Lauber also accuses his supervisory authority of procedural errors and bias.
How does it develop in concrete terms? If the proceedings really do open next week, the commission will have to check whether there is a “serious breach of official duties” or whether the federal prosecutor really lacks “professional or personal suitability” for the office.
Once this has been clarified, the Commission can request the removal of Lauber from Parliament, which would then vote on it. It is currently impossible to estimate how long a procedure would take. First, the court commission would also have to decide whether or not to wait for Lauber’s court complaint against the oversight report. The last instance may take more time to decide. This also raises the question of whether the Commission places greater emphasis on political or legal aspects. The Caroni Council of States emphasized yesterday how important a fair trial is.
“The Commission has recognized the explosiveness”
Other politicians would like to have a quick decision, also to strengthen public confidence in the judiciary. Matthias Aebischer has had clear doubts about the work of the US Attorney for some time. The Bern SP National Council was satisfied yesterday. “The commission has recognized the explosiveness,” says Aebischer. He was satisfied with the way the Commission worked yesterday.
In the fall, against the will of the judicial commission, Lauber was narrowly re-elected by parliament. It was mainly supported by SVP, FDP and SP. (aargauerzeitung.ch)
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