Use of resources for private purposes: Geneva singled out

After the Statethe City of Geneva is being criticized for the use of its resources. The Court of Auditors has just carried out a summary examination after receiving a citizen alert last June, which it has just published on its website. His verdict, narrated by Léman Bleu: the fact that personal collaborators of administrative advisors participate in private and political activities of their magistrates is contrary to good practices.

The auditors met the City Secretary General. They noted that the City Executive “clearly admits that auxiliaries, members of City staff, can participate in private and political activities such as the preparation of party congresses, electoral campaigns or the management of social networks staff of magistrates”.

The Court notes that this use has no legal basis. “The status of personal collaborator is not distinguished from that of other auxiliaries and is subject to the same duty of office.” The situation is contrary to good practices listed by the Venice Commission, which has drawn up guidelines against the misuse of administrative resources during election periods.

A risky process

The auditors point out that this type of practice can disrupt the progress of “electoral operations and is likely to affect the 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 of Auditors suggests that the City of Geneva “adapt the framework of action of personal collaborators while respecting the personnel status and the above-mentioned good practices”, via a directive from the Administrative Council. And therefore, to adapt their specifications.

“Surprising and questionable”

The Executive of the City of Geneva regrets not having been heard by the auditors. The Court “in fact contented itself with a single meeting – in June 2024 – with the Secretary General of the City of Geneva, which is surprising and questionable to say the least”.

Basically, the letter contains “approximate” assertions, assures the Administrative Council. Which specifies: “The function of personal collaborator was created in 2007 with the aim of preventing City officials from finding themselves in a situation of having to assume tasks of a political nature in the broad sense in support of magistrates.” This position also exists in other Swiss administrations, indicates the Executive.

He recalls that at the beginning of 2024, a document entitled “framework of actions” was sent to the Municipal Council and published on the City’s website, following a reflection carried out on the “separation between institutional and political work “.

The timetable of the Court of Auditors also “surprises” the City of Geneva, “giving the impression of wanting to discredit the political class three months before the municipal elections” in the absence of “concrete elements”. The Executive, however, takes note of the recommendations and “will request a meeting at the start of the school year in order to discuss this subject, favoring a constructive exchange rather than an announcement effect”.

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Chloé Dethurens has been a journalist in the Geneva section since 2019. She has written for the Tribune de Genève since 2007. More info

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