Politics · Switzerland · 1 hr ago
Thomas Aeschi leaves school debate during discussion of EU agreements
Swiss lawmaker Thomas Aeschi left a debate at Kantonsschule Reussbühl in Lucerne before it ended.
The dispute arose during a discussion of the Bilaterals III, proposed agreements between Switzerland and the EU.
Aeschi, who opposes the agreements, said the moderator gave him too little time to speak.
Senator Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger said the moderator intended to give him more time, but Aeschi left before she could speak.
The school said the panel had been balanced across its full range of topics, while acknowledging it might have needed more equal representation on Europe.
It said the moderator tried to steer the debate when detailed discussion became hard for the students to follow.
The disagreement highlights tensions over how the EU agreements are debated, and the school said it sent Aeschi an apology, but had received no reply.
SVP National Councillor Thomas Aeschi left a debate at Kantonsschule Reussbühl in Lucerne before it ended.
He walked out during a discussion of Switzerland’s relationship with the EU, particularly the Bilaterals III agreements.
Aeschi said the moderator gave him too little time to speak as the only panellist opposing the EU treaty.
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger said the moderator had intended to give Aeschi more time, and criticised his decision to leave.
The school said the panel was balanced across its full range of topics but acknowledged it might have needed more equal representation on European policy.
- Who
- SVP National Councillor Thomas Aeschi left the debate. Other panellists included Michael Töngi, Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger and German ambassador Markus Potzel.
- What
- Aeschi left a school debate before it ended, during discussion of the EU agreements known as Bilaterals III.
- When
- September 25 of the year the articles were published.
- Where
- Kantonsschule Reussbühl in Lucerne, Switzerland.
- Why
- Aeschi said the moderator gave him too little speaking time. The moderator and school said the discussion had become difficult to follow and was being redirected.
Thomas Aeschi
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger and Kantonsschule Reussbühl
Moderation
Thomas Aeschi
Aeschi said the moderator was one-sided and gave him little time to speak as the only opponent of the EU treaty.
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger and Kantonsschule Reussbühl
Gmür-Schönenberger said the moderator intended to give Aeschi more time; the school said the moderator tried to steer a discussion that had become too detailed for students.
Leaving the debate
Thomas Aeschi
Aeschi said he concluded that a critical voice was not wanted.
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger and Kantonsschule Reussbühl
Gmür-Schönenberger called his departure unacceptable, and the school said he left when the moderator intervened.
Panel balance
Thomas Aeschi
Aeschi described himself as the sole panellist opposing the EU treaty.
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger and Kantonsschule Reussbühl
Gmür-Schönenberger agreed that the panel’s positions on European policy were unbalanced; the school said the broader discussion was balanced but conceded it could have sought more equal representation.
The school held a political debate with Aeschi, Töngi, Gmür-Schönenberger and German ambassador Markus Potzel.
Aeschi left the hall under protest as discussion turned to the EU and Bilaterals III.
The school said it wrote to Aeschi to explain its position and apologise for any mistakes.
The school said it had received no reply to its message and apology.
- School
- Kantonsschule Reussbühl, Lucerne
- Date of debate
- September 25, 2026
- EU issue discussed
- Bilaterals III
- Panellists
- Thomas Aeschi, Michael Töngi, Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger and Markus Potzel
- Aeschi’s position
- The only panellist opposing the EU treaty
3 sources
What people are saying
Als einzige Stimme auf dem Podium, die den EU-Vertrag ablehnt, wurde mir trotz freundlicher Nachfrage meinerseits seitens der Moderatorin kaum Redezeit gewährt.
Der Moderatorin ist kein Vorwurf zu machen und das Davonlaufen von Herrn Aeschi ist für mich ein No-Go.
Ein Nationalrat muss das aushalten.
Vielleicht hätten wir noch mehr auf eine paritätische Vertretung setzen müssen.