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Parliament’s finance delegation opposes former federal councilors receiving their pensions retroactively. However, the delegation has not made a decision. Former SVP Federal Councilor Christoph Blocher now speaks to CH Media. And it refers to a racy document from 2008.
Christoph Blocher (SVP) in December 2003 accepted the election as Federal Councilor (left Micheline Calmy-Rey, SP, right Hans-Rudolf Merz, FDP).
Christoph Blocher is claiming 2.77 million francs, the sum of the pensions he has renounced since he was ousted from office in 2007. Since “Switzerland on the weekend” made the lawsuit public two months ago, the claim has been raised. Question: Is it legally possible to activate retroactive payments? There is no precedent.
Yesterday, Parliament’s finance delegation (FinDel) commented on this. In principle, it recommends that the retroactive payment of the pensions of former Federal Councilors be suspended without, however, specifically addressing the Blocher case.
The hot potato is passed back and forth between the Federal Council and the finance delegation.
So FinDel hasn’t decided anything. In stark contrast to the Federal Council, which approved the 2.77 million francs for Blocher. But not conclusive. Then the state government passed the hot potato to FinDel because it did not want to be solely responsible for the decision. Now FinDel is returning the potato to the Federal Council.
Will the Federal Council make the same decision again? It is not certain. The word FinDel, even if it was only pronounced in a general way, carries weight. FinDel President Peter Hegglin (CVP / ZG) said it would be “difficult for the Federal Council to deviate from our position.” Furthermore, several experts had reportedly raised legal objections.
Christoph Blocher himself described the initial exemption from his pension in July as stupid. “I give the state 2.7 million. Can I really do that? ”He asked rhetorically on his television show. And anyway: after being removed from office, he simply said that he was not collecting his retirement pension now, but that he was not giving up his legal right. However, he will not keep the money, he will pass it on.
This morning, CH Media contacted the former Federal Council by phone. How will you react if the Federal Council follows FinDel and rejects the retroactive payment of the new consultation? Blocher says:
“I have not yet verified whether he would legally enforce the claim.”
So Blocher leaves open the possibility of taking legal action against a Federal Council Njet, although it is clear to him: “Of course there is a legal claim.” You have a document from 2008 that says you can claim your pension at any time. Blocher does not want to comment further at this time. However, it does not seem to be ruled out that in the end he would give up the money.
By the way, the Federal Chancellery would have the authority to decide on the claim. In theory, the Federal Council could also pass the ball to Chancellor Walter Thurnherr. Then the hot potato would be in other hands again. Affair à suivre.
