A heated debate has erupted in Bern following violent protests earlier this month. Senior politicians are now calling for the city to significantly increase its financial contribution to the cantonal police force. This demand comes after a pro-Palestine demonstration in mid-October resulted in numerous injuries and property damage estimated in the millions of francs.
Key Takeaways
- SVP politicians demand Bern double its police contribution from CHF 30 million to CHF 60 million.
- Calls for banning 'left-wing extremist terror groups' like Antifa.
- SP and City Safety Director reject the demands, citing Bern's role as a net contributor to the canton.
- The current resource agreement with cantonal police is deemed effective by city officials.
SVP Demands Stricter Measures and Increased Funding
Following the significant unrest, SVP Grand Councillors Thomas Fuchs and Sandra Schneider are pushing for strong action. They plan to introduce motions in the cantonal parliament. Their proposals include banning groups they identify as 'left-wing extremist terror groups,' specifically mentioning Antifa organizations.
Thomas Fuchs emphasized a perceived pattern of political violence in the federal city. He stated, "Today, police forces are almost regularly injured – always during operations against left-wing extremist perpetrators, always in the City of Bern." Fuchs criticized the city council for dismissing the substantial costs of these deployments. He noted the council's reliance on an existing annual fixed payment to the police.
Fact: Current Police Contribution
The City of Bern currently pays approximately 30 million Swiss francs annually to the cantonal police for their services.
Call to Double Police Contribution
SVP Grand Councillor Sandra Schneider has specifically called for the annual lump sum paid by Bern to the cantonal police to be increased. She proposes raising it from the current 30 million francs to at least 60 million francs. Schneider argues that "the current contribution amount no longer covers the actual costs."
SP Rejects Demands, Cites Bern's Financial Role
The Social Democratic Party (SP) takes a different stance on the matter. SP Grand Councillor Stefan Jordi highlighted the canton's financial and burden equalization system. He described it as a "finely balanced instrument" that considers the financial strength of municipalities and their specific burdens and benefits.
"The City of Bern is the canton's economic engine and annually pays many millions net into the state treasury for the benefit of the canton and many municipalities."
The SP Canton Bern firmly rejects any decision to cut the compensation for central burdens exclusively for the City of Bern. They also oppose further attacks that weaken city finances, such as increasing police flat rates. Jordi warned that such measures would ultimately weaken the entire canton. "If Bern stutters, the canton stutters," he stated, speaking as the faction president of the SP/Juso group in the Bern Grand Council.
Understanding the Financial System
The canton of Bern operates a complex system of financial equalization. This system ensures that all municipalities contribute fairly and receive support based on their needs and their role within the canton. The city of Bern, as the capital and an economic hub, has significant financial outflows to the canton, making it a net contributor.
City Safety Director Dismisses Proposal
The City of Bern itself has shown little sympathy for the SVP's proposals. Alec von Graffenried, the City of Bern's Safety Director, strongly rejected the idea of increasing police contributions. He emphasized the established and effective working relationship between the city and the cantonal police.
"The resource agreement with the cantonal police and the good cooperation between city authorities and the cantonal police have proven very successful according to the unanimous assessment of the city and the canton. The demand therefore lacks any factual basis and must be rejected."
Von Graffenried's comments underscore the city's belief that the current funding model is appropriate and that the police force is adequately supported under existing arrangements. He reiterated that the current system works well for both parties involved.
Public Reaction and Future Outlook
The public reaction to the violent demonstration and the subsequent political demands has been varied. Many citizens express concern over the rising costs of maintaining public order and the safety of police officers. There are calls for stronger enforcement and accountability for those involved in destructive acts.
Some commentators suggest that all apprehended rioters should face pre-trial detention instead of simply identity checks. They also propose that damages should be recovered through wage garnishment. This approach, they argue, would quickly resolve the issue of recurrent violence during demonstrations.
The debate is set to continue in the cantonal parliament. The SVP's motions will likely face significant opposition from the SP and the city's administration. The outcome will have a direct impact on Bern's budget and the future relationship between the city and the cantonal police force.
- The SVP's push for increased police funding is a direct response to recent violent protests.
- The SP argues that Bern already contributes significantly to the canton's finances.
- City officials believe the current police resource agreement is effective and sufficient.
- The discussion highlights ongoing challenges in managing public demonstrations and their financial impact.