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- Climate activists have been on the Bundesplatz since early Monday morning.
- In negotiations, city authorities and activists apparently agreed that the weekly market could take place on Tuesday.
- During the session, the Bundesplatz must, in principle, remain free, which is why the parliament demanded evacuation.
The occupation of the Bundesplatz marks the start of the week of the “Stand Up for Change” campaign. The climate movement wants to pressure politicians for greater climate protection.
The market should take place
But during the sessions there is a general ban on demonstrations in front of the Federal Palace. Furthermore, the Bundesplatz is used on Tuesdays for the weekly market with its 100 stalls. Activists now apparently want to bow to this.
“Negotiations with climate activists have shown that they will abandon the Bundesplatz, with the exception of two tents, for the market,” read a message that city authorities sent to market traders on Monday afternoon. A spokeswoman for the protest camp told SRF that they wanted to offer a hand at least tomorrow. The market should take place in parts of the Bundesplatz.
Starting at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning, local and commercial police employees will be on site to support construction.
Municipalities press
While the city of Bern has so far relied on dialogue, the Bastions of the National Council and the Council of States are calling for the city to intervene. “An unapproved event is currently taking place at the Bundesplatz,” say Isabelle Moret, president of the National Council, and Hans Stöckli, president of the Council of States. They demand that the city of Bern and the canton of Bern “establish that this event is illegal”. And that they ensure “compliance with the applicable legal provisions (…)”.
A few hundred young people protest at the Bundesplatz in Bern.
Keystone
The session of the federal councils should not be disturbed, and the council members should be able to enter the Federal Palace undisturbed, parliamentary services told SRF radio. According to their own statements, the activists want to stay in the square for a whole week.
The city of Bern seeks a conversation with the activists, but responds to Parliament’s request and confirms that the action is illegal: “The session must be able to proceed without being disturbed.” The weekly market must also be able to take place.
The conditions of the city
The city hopes that protesters on the Bundesplatz will create an escape route for firefighters and medical services, and public transport should not be affected by the action. Nor should the session be disturbed: “Not only should access to the Federal Palace be guaranteed, there should not be noise from speakers or concerts.”
Alternative offer
In the interest of all those involved, the city of Bern has offered a hand for an alternative solution: “We have given the protesters the prospect of a permit to perform in Schützenmatte throughout the week,” says councilor Reto Nause.
Mayor Alec von Graffenried was surprised that several hundred climate activists have been occupying Bundesplatz since early Monday morning. He didn’t want to leave the space immediately, but to negotiate first.
Climate activists have various demands on decision makers. “That is why we are calling for a net zero policy by 2030 and climate justice,” climate activist Meret Schefer told SRF News. Various “sectors with influence” such as the financial sector or the energy industry are also addressed. But it is important to the organizers that the action remains peaceful and colorful despite civil disobedience.
