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🇨🇭 Switzerland /Elections & Politics

Ticino government removes Claudio Zali’s department, but minister refuses to resign immediately

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Ticino’s government removed the territory department from State Councillor Claudio Zali after the opening of a second criminal investigation against him.
  • The investigation concerns alleged sexual-integrity offences dating back several years, while Zali has not immediately resigned.
  • Authorities stressed the presumption of innocence and said the move would help preserve confidence in public institutions.

Ticino’s government has taken Claudio Zali’s department away from him, but the outgoing State Councillor has not immediately resigned. The decision follows the opening of a second criminal investigation that has shaken the canton’s political class.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office opened proceedings over alleged offences against sexual integrity dating back several years. The ministers learned of the case through press reports, according to Le Temps. Zali has been absent from the government.

a step in the right direction to preserve the credibility of institutions

· Ticino Council of StateThe government used the phrase to explain its decision to remove Zali’s department while the investigation proceeds.

At a news conference on Wednesday, the Council of State announced that it had removed the territory department from Zali. The previous day, the extraordinary session of the executive had asked him to leave his government position immediately.

The government acknowledged that the presumption of innocence applies. It nevertheless described the measure as “a step in the right direction to preserve the credibility of institutions.” The article also reports that toxicology tests on a woman found dead in Lake Ceresio showed “a very high blood-alcohol level as well as the presence of benzodiazepines.”

a very high blood-alcohol level as well as the presence of benzodiazepines

· Toxicology reportThe findings concerned a woman found dead in Lake Ceresio.
About this summary

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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