The Käfigturm political forum in the city of Bern has canceled all events from July 3.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the “Save the Käfigturm” committee speaks of an “early closure” and sharply criticizes the Federal Chancellery.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the “Save the Käfigturm” committee speaks of an “early closure” and sharply criticizes the Federal Chancellery.
According to the Politforum Käfigturm website, the public use of the event rooms will be discontinued for the time being as of July 3, 2016. And: “Due to the lack of planning certainty, the 2016 program must be cancelled.” The Politforum Käfigturm is run by the Federal Chancellery and Parliamentary Services. It is to be closed at the end of 2016 to save money. The consultation on the federal government’s cost-cutting program runs until 18 March. The “Save the Käfigturm” committee has criticized the premature closure in no uncertain terms. “It is inadmissible to implement controversial measures while the consultation process is still ongoing,” it writes in the press release. The committee is even convinced that the Federal Chancellery’s decision is unlawful. “The Federal Chancellery lacks the authority to close the Politforum on its own authority,” the press release states. According to the committee, only the Federal Council can initiate the closure.
Federal Chancellery: “no early closure” The Federal Chancellery rejects the accusations on request: “There is no early closure,” it writes in a written statement.
The Federal Council will decide on the closure after the consultation process.
It justifies the closure of operations as of July 3 with an “uncertain personnel situation”.
Walter Stüdeli, initiator of the committee, does not accept this justification.
The Federal Chancellery has asked its employees at the Käfigturm to sign a letter stating that they are looking for a new job as soon as possible.
“In this context, the argument of the uncertain personnel situation seems very implausible,” he says.
After all, the Federal Chancellery had brought about this situation itself.
Source: SDA, 25.2.2016 For Stüdeli, it is clear that the Federal Chancellery wants to “create facts” with the early closure.
Once the workforce is gone, an enormous amount of know-how and experience will be lost.
“That makes a new start more difficult.”
Numerous prominent political and cultural figures are involved in the “Save the Käfigturm” committee.
Among others, all five Bernese councillors are members of the committee.
Federal Chancellery: “no early closure” The Federal Chancellery rejects the accusations on request: “There is no early closure,” it writes in a written statement.
The Federal Council will decide on the closure after the consultation process.
It justifies the closure of operations as of July 3 with an “uncertain personnel situation”.
Walter Stüdeli, initiator of the committee, does not accept this justification.
The Federal Chancellery has asked its employees at the Käfigturm to sign a letter stating that they are looking for a new job as soon as possible.
“In this context, the argument of the uncertain personnel situation seems very implausible,” he says.
After all, the Federal Chancellery had brought about this situation itself.
Source: SDA, 25.2.2016 For Stüdeli, it is clear that the Federal Chancellery wants to “create facts” with the early closure.
Once the workforce is gone, an enormous amount of know-how and experience will be lost.
“That makes a new start more difficult.”
Numerous prominent political and cultural figures are involved in the “Save the Käfigturm” committee.
Among others, all five Bernese councillors are members of the committee.