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- The city of Bern gives climate activists an ultimatum: they must leave the Bundesplatz by Tuesday noon. Otherwise, there is a risk of police eviction.
- Meanwhile, the National Council asks the city to dissolve the camp. In the evening, he accepted the corresponding order request from Thomas Aeschi (SVP / ZG).
- In negotiations, authorities and activists had previously agreed that the weekly market could take place on Tuesday.
- The Bundesplatz must remain free during the session. Thus, the federal parliament had called for the “restoration of the legal state.”
According to the climate movement, the occupation of the Bundesplatz early Monday morning should mark the start of the “Stand up for change” week of action. He wanted to pressure politicians for more climate protection.
The activists had announced that they would temporarily open part of the Bundesplatz for the weekly market on Tuesday morning. This is a welcome step for the Bern city council, but no more.
He refused to move to Schützenmatte
According to the ideas of the climate movement, the camp should continue from Tuesday afternoon in front of the Federal Palace. Instead, the Bern city hall offers to move to Waisenhausplatz 200 meters away. The city had previously offered the Schützenmatte in front of the riding school at the Bern train station. But the activists refused.
If the climate movement speaks out against the move, the city council will meet again Tuesday afternoon for an extraordinary meeting. “Until then, he will refrain from clearing the Bundesplatz,” said a statement.
The city council also states that the action was not approved and that it violates the municipal concentration regulations. He had also taken note of a letter from the administrative delegation of the Federal Assembly, which demanded that the legal status of the Bundesplatz be restored.
The market should take place
There is a general prohibition of demonstrations in front of the Federal Palace during parliamentary sessions. Also, the Bundesplatz is used on Tuesdays for the weekly market with around 100 stalls.
“Negotiations with climate activists have shown that they will abandon the Bundesplatz, with the exception of two tents, for the market,” said a message from the city. Starting at 4 am, local and commercial police would be on site and support the construction.
Municipalities press
While the city of Bern has so far relied on dialogue, the president of the National Council, Isabelle Moret, and the president of the Council of States, Hans Stöckli, demand that the city and the canton of Bern determine that this event is illegal.
The city also hopes that protesters will have a rescue lane for firefighters and medical services at Bundesplatz. Also, public transport should not be affected by the action. In addition, access to the Federal Palace must be guaranteed and there should be no noise from speakers or concerts.
Surprised authorities
The occupation also surprised the mayor of Bern, Alec von Graffenried. He didn’t want the place to be immediately empty, but to negotiate first.
Climate activists are calling for “a net zero policy by 2030 and climate justice.” Activist Meret Schefer told SRF that various “influential sectors” such as the financial or energy industry were addressed. It is important to the organizers that the action remains peaceful and colorful despite civil disobedience.
