Political earthquake in Zug: PUK clears up scandalous property sale!

Political earthquake in Zug: PUK clears up scandalous property sale!

The Zug Cantonal Council decided today to set up a Parliamentary Investigation Commission (PUK) to investigate a controversial property sale on Lake Ägeri. The result of the vote was 43 votes to 32 after a three-hour debate. The sale concerns a 4,800 square meter property and there are significant concerns about the sale price, which is believed to have been underestimated. This situation has led to a political earthquake in the canton of Zug.

The focus of the criticism is the Interior Directorate under government councilor Andreas Hostettler (FDP). During the debate, allegations were also made that an employee of the land registry and notary inspectorate was put under pressure. The trust between the parliamentary supervisory authority and the government council is very strained, which is also reflected in the refusal of the State Economic Commission and the government council to release each other's files or accept offers of dialogue. These circumstances require comprehensive clarification.

Political reactions and dynamics

The discussion about the PUK was accompanied by different political positions. While the majority of the Center faction and the Greens voted in favor of setting up the commission, the majority of the SVP spoke out against it. Security Director Laura Dittli (center) and Finance Director Heinz Tännler (SVP) actively tried to avert the establishment of a PUK. Andreas Hostettler, on the other hand, only gave a short vote during the debate, which further questions the perception of his assumption of responsibility.

A compromise proposal from the government, which envisaged a mutual handover of files and the involvement of the Commission, was rejected by the MPs. The PUK should now try to clarify the complex circumstances of the property sale and reduce the deep-seated mistrust between parliament and the government council.

A look at similar parliamentary matters

In the context of parliamentary investigations, the independent work of other commissions is also of interest. Discussions on the additional loan for the procurement of the Mirage fighter jets were suspended, which led to the establishment of a special commission representing all factions. This commission will investigate the processes involved in the preparation and creation of the Federal Council message of April 25, 1961 on Mirage procurement as well as the implementation of the federal resolution of June 21, 1961. The Commission has extensive rights, including access to necessary documents and the consent of all administrative bodies involved.

These parallel developments make it clear how important thorough and transparent clarification is in Swiss politics in order to strengthen citizens' trust in the institutions and avoid future conflicts.

For further information on the work of the Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry, please visit parliament.ch as well as the detailed reporting in the NZZ.