In the wake of the Fischer affair, the policeman of public funds sought to find out whether the City of Geneva was also concerned by a potential use of public resources for private purposes. Answer: yes.
A letter dated December 17, 2024 and published on the website of the Court of Auditors will not fail to heat things up as the holidays approach and a few months before the municipal elections. Following a citizen communication relating to the use of public resources for private purposes in connection with the function of personal collaborator of administrative advisors, the Court of Auditors sent a detailed letter to the executive.
Preparation of congresses, electoral campaigns or management of personal social networks
The missive states: “During its work, the Court was able to note that the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva clearly admits that auxiliaries, members of the City staff, can participate in private and political activities such as the preparation party congresses, electoral campaigns or the management of magistrates’ personal social networks.”
The Court recalls that this situation is “without legal basis” and is “contrary to good practices”: “The abusive use of public resources constitutes a structural obstacle to the smooth running of electoral operations and is likely to affect electoral processes and the free will of voters by conferring an advantage on members of the municipal executive who are candidates for re-election.”
The Court requests corrective measures
The Court of Auditors suggests to the Administrative Council to adapt the framework of action of personal collaborators to put an end to these practices, via a directive, to modify the specifications accordingly and to take note of the Court’s report on the subject of State communicators, and more particularly the chapter dedicated to the risks inherent in the use of public resources for private purposes.
Development follows.
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Swiss
