Pierre Maudet comes to a hair of

Pierre Maudet the big winner of the hour? That is the question, yesterday evening around 22.45 PM on the auditorium of the Geneva University. Two and a half hours, members of the FDP have argued over the question of whether the party on their battered state Council.

As the party President Alexandre de Senarclens after the speech, the battle announces the result, cheers. For a fraction of a second there is dead silence. Because the party is almost split perfectly. 341 members from speaking Maudet confidence. 312 lost the trust. About 50 members.

Pierre Maudet is the big winner? The question must remain open. What is for sure: the top of The FDP Geneva is the big loser.

the Basis of the FDP Geneva talks Maudet trust: What the state says. Video: SDA

you had in the last few months, intensively, on the resignation of Pierre Maudet. She felt encouraged by the incessant series of revelations and scandals. In November, the national party leadership intervened. Maudet, the values of the FDP got kicked with feet, said party leader Petra Gössi. It seemed to be only a matter of time until Maudet, the pressure would give in.

Now everything is different. Now Maudet has officially announced the majority of his party behind. The claim, from the Council of state to withdraw it from the table. It is even questionable whether he would submit to be forced in the event of a conviction, his office, the FDP-based in regard to the allegations expressed their trust and confidence.

While the future of Maudet after yesterday's evening appears in a better light, it looks like his party is bleak.

as a reminder: Because Pierre Maudet to invite 2015 with his family to a luxury trip to Abu Dhabi had determined the Geneva public Prosecutor's office against him. The suspicion is on acceptance of an advantage. Recently the method was extended because it became known that Maudet was the mandate duties of third parties to pay, but the taxes dropped. For Maudet, the presumption of innocence still applies.

While the future of Pierre Maudet after yesterday's morning again in better light, it looks like his party is bleak. The FDP Geneva is deeply divided. This is all the more threatening because of the merger between the liberal and the Radical is only a few years old and the conflict Maudet old trenches has to be torn up.

"It's not in the interests of Geneva, you can stay on the Council of state."Christian Lüscher Geneva FDP-Nationalrat

This was already the opening of the Evening by the President of the Geneva FDP. He spoke Maudet directly: "Pierre, You betrayed us." Maudet alone was responsible for the crisis in the party was. "No one has asked You to make this trip to Abu Dhabi. No one has asked You to lie."

Relentless is also national councillor Christian Lüscher went with the advocate-General to the court. "It is not in the interests of Geneva, You can stay on the Council of state," he said. Maudet is a System of black funds have operated and before the party is kept secret in order to disguise the origin of funds. The have requires a high degree of financial acrobatics. "The Paper Trail was produced as a result of this activity, reminiscent of Financial crime."

Pierre Maudet defended himself in front of his party colleagues, after all the means of art. When he was on a luxury trip to Abu Dhabi to invite, he committed a serious mistake, admitted Maudet. "This error, other errors followed. For this I alone will have the responsibility." But he would never have harmed the Canton of Geneva or the taxpayers. Rather, he'll be vilified for months and slandered. This he wool can offer. "I want to fight again for Geneva," he called into the hall. "Together with you." Maudet reminded of his achievements from the political work, such as in the area of security. And again and again he referred to his spectacular election result from last April.

His property as an electoral locomotive seemed to be to also deal with the present. A resignation Maudets from the Council of state is a serious threat to the balance of power in the Geneva government, made some supporters claim. Maudet is a political exception was the talent, the FDP could not afford to get rid of his, said the other. Others, again, in relative terms, the Seriousness of the offense: "Un mensonge logged! Mon dieu!" There is hardly a politician who would, in this respect, a clear Conscience, said a former MP.

New revelation

Spicy: While the party of the delivery Assembly, presented the German Swiss television SRF in the news broadcast "10 vor 10" new revelations about Maudet. According to the SRF, he opened in 2012, his candidacy as a Geneva state councillor, with a large choice of party. 37'000 Swiss francs it should have according to the SRF cost. This bill, as well as its celebration of the 40. Birthday not Maudet settled in accordance with the SRF itself, but friends of him. With two Familiar Maudet founded in the spring of 2012, the "supporters club for Pierre Maudet". He even worked in the club as Secretary.

SRF had insight into the Association's accounting. According to the TV station of the club in less than half a year, more than 200'000 Swiss francs for Maudet collected and received in the following five years, grants from donors. The Problem is: The Treasury of the Association was is not known, the taxes he pays. As Association President Salvatore Vitanza, the head of the internal control of the Canton of Geneva, is responsible for the good Functioning of the cantonal administration had.

SRF writes: "in 2012, testified Vitanza to the authorities specifically, the campaign of Pierre was financed Maudet "only by the FDP". In the process, he presided the Association of 170'000 Swiss francs had been issued for a two-month election campaign Maudets."

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 16.01.2019, 08:40 PM