Politics · Switzerland · 6 hrs ago
Swiss commission recommends Beatrice van de Graaf for re-election
A Swiss parliamentary commission recommended Beatrice van de Graaf for re-election as a federal judge, by 9 votes to 7, with one abstention.
The Supreme Court had found that van de Graaf and fellow judge Yves Donzallaz had an unlawful ongoing relationship, which the law does not allow between members of the court.
Most commission members said the breach was not serious enough to justify asking Parliament to reject her re-election, taking into account how the judges understood their relationship at the time.
The two judges ended the relationship on their own, and Donzallaz withdrew his re-election bid.
Parliament is expected to choose judges for the 2027–2032 term on December 8.
The commission has not yet proposed who should lead the court, after it rejected the court's suggested successor to president François Chaix.
Switzerland’s Judicial Commission recommended Beatrice van de Graaf for re-election to the Federal Supreme Court.
The commission voted 9 to 7, with one abstention, to recommend her return despite a finding that her relationship with fellow judge Yves Donzallaz breached legal rules.
The majority said her breach of duty was not serious enough to justify seeking her non-re-election.
Donzallaz withdrew his candidacy for the next term.
Parliament is expected to elect the court’s judges on 8 December for the 2027–2032 term.
- Who
- The Judicial Commission recommended Beatrice van de Graaf, a Federal Supreme Court judge, for re-election.
- What
- It recommended her return by 9 votes to 7, with one abstention. Yves Donzallaz withdrew his candidacy.
- When
- The commission announced its decision on 11 November 2026. Parliament is expected to elect the judges on 8 December.
- Where
- The announcement was made in Bern, Switzerland.
- Why
- The commission majority said van de Graaf’s breach of duty was not serious enough to justify a request for non-re-election.
Commission majority
Commission minority
Re-election
Commission majority
The majority said van de Graaf’s conduct did not meet the threshold for non-re-election.
Commission minority
A strong minority opposed confirming van de Graaf in office.
Responsibility
Commission majority
The majority said the relationship was ended voluntarily and van de Graaf could not be held responsible for the media uproar and institutional crisis.
Commission minority
Not stated.
The Federal Supreme Court found that Donzallaz and van de Graaf had been in an impermissible permanent partnership.
Donzallaz withdrew his candidacy for the next term.
The Judicial Commission recommended van de Graaf for re-election by 9 votes to 7, with one abstention.
Parliament is expected to elect the judges for the 2027–2032 term.
- Commission vote
- 9 in favour, 7 against, 1 abstention
- Donzallaz’s candidacy
- Withdrawn
- Expected election date
- 8 December 2026
- Next term
- 2027–2032
4 sources
Liebesaffäre am Bundesgericht – Bundesrichter Donzallaz hat seine Kandidatur zurückgezogen
Nach Affaire am Bundesgericht: Kommission empfiehlt Richterin zur Wiederwahl
Van de Graaf zur Wiederwahl empfohlen – Donzallaz verzichtet
What people are saying
The timing at which the threshold of legal incompatibility is crossed cannot always be clearly determined.
For the media uproar, which triggered a profound institutional crisis, she cannot be held responsible.