The “explanatory” panels relating to the pedestrian bridge of the Mont-Blanc bridge arouse the ire of the MCG. The municipal Department of Planning, Construction and Mobility (DACM) had them installed on Wednesday October 2 near the structure. They are supposed to inform citizens about the footbridge project – fought by a referendum and put to the ballot on November 24. Judging that this is “unfair propaganda”, the MCG on Monday ordered the Administrative Council to remove these placards by Wednesday. After this deadline, the party announces that it will refer the matter to the Constitutional Chamber of the Court of Justice to urgently have these signs removed.
“Every day that passes influences voters subjected to this propaganda,” explains François Baertschi, president of the party. He observes that the elements displayed by the City highlight “the strong points” of the project and list its advantages “for mobility” and “for the harbor”, and this “without any nuance or presentation of the points of view of opponents” .
The MCG considers that by proceeding in this way, the Administrative Council violates the implementing regulations of the law on the exercise of political rights. This stipulates that “all unilateral, unfair or misleading propaganda is prohibited, as is hidden or disproportionate financing of the campaign”. François Baertschi adds that he wonders if the installation of these panels does not constitute “unfair management of public interests. The money of the people of Geneva should not be used for campaigning.” The party says it has chosen the route of formal notice rather than recourse to try to avoid legal proceedings and, in this way, “save taxpayers’ funds”
Personal collaborator of administrative advisor Frédérique Perler, head of the DACM, Marc Moulin indicates that the Executive “will respond in due time after having read this letter” from the MCG.
#Swiss
