Letter of the day: a referendum against vagueness

Geneva, December 16

In the letter published in the “Tribune” of December 16 under the title “Hope of a park”, a municipal councilor of the City of Geneva, from the Greens party, affirms that the referendum on the purchase of the Zep villa “There’s nothing popular about it.” Would he have a particular gift for knowing the popular will without consulting it? I hope this is a clumsy play on words and not a contempt for the Genevans.

While going into the streets to collect signatures, I met modest people, very angry at the waste of public money, when they should manage their finances carefully. Let us remember: it is not politicians who decide whether a referendum is popular or not. A referendum is popular because we give the voice to the people, among other things, when a question lacks clarity.

However, here, everything is vague: we do not clearly know what can be done, what will be done, nor how much it will cost. Is there a question of a park, a tea room or offices for the City? What arrangements are possible? What staff will need to be hired? And above all, how many additional millions will need to be added to the twenty-two already planned? This referendum is a call for transparency. It is about taking the necessary time to explore an insufficiently worked issue and giving the people the opportunity to express themselves.

Ramón José Jiménez Pomareta, PLR candidate for CM of the City of Geneva

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments