Politics · Switzerland · 13 hrs ago
Swiss federal judges could receive pensions if not re-elected
Switzerland’s top court ruled that a relationship between judges Yves Donzallaz and Béatrice van de Graaf was not permitted.
The ruling has put their re-election in December under scrutiny, though it does not itself change their legal status.
A parliamentary commission has opened proceedings over suspected breaches of official duties and is due to decide on Wednesday whether to recommend that they not be re-elected.
A law professor says that outcome is very likely, but Parliament will make the final decision in December.
If they lose their seats, federal judges are entitled to a pension worth half their salary.
The full pension would be about 191,266 Swiss francs a year, based on current pay, but that amount applies only after 15 years in office.
Van de Graaf has been a judge since 2019, so her pension would be lower than the full amount.
Swiss federal judges who are not re-elected can receive a pension equal to half their salary.
The full pension is available only after 15 years in office.
The future of judges Béatrice van de Graaf and Yves Donzallaz is uncertain after a court ruled their relationship impermissible.
A parliamentary committee has opened a procedure concerning their possible non-re-election in December.
Legal professor Benjamin Schindler said non-re-election was very likely, but Parliament has the final say.
- Who
- Federal judges Béatrice van de Graaf and Yves Donzallaz are facing possible non-re-election.
- What
- Judges who are not re-elected can receive a pension worth half their salary, subject to a 15-year service requirement for the full amount.
- When
- The judges’ re-election is due to be decided in December 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- The court ruled that the judges’ relationship was impermissible, and a committee opened a non-re-election procedure over suspected breach of official duties.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Federal Supreme Court ruled that the relationship between Béatrice van de Graaf and Yves Donzallaz was impermissible.
The Judicial Commission opened a procedure concerning the possible non-re-election of both judges, voting 12 to 3 with two abstentions.
The Judicial Commission is due to decide on its recommendation for the judges’ re-election.
Parliament is due to make the final decision on re-election.
- Full pension
- Half of a judge’s salary, available after 15 years in office
- Annual pension estimate
- About 191,266 Swiss francs
- Monthly pension estimate
- Almost 16,000 Swiss francs
- Judges
- Béatrice van de Graaf and Yves Donzallaz
- Committee vote
- 12 in favour, 3 against, 2 abstentions
What people are saying
Legally speaking, nothing changes directly for the two judges.
Indirectly, however, the ruling has major consequences. It affects the re-election of Donzallaz and van de Graaf in December.
The reason is the suspicion of a breach of official duties.