OpinionFrédéric Julliard Editor-in-chief
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The penal aspect of the Maudet case, after three years of investigation, seemed to be coming to an end. The prospect of a public trial for the Councilor of State, as embarrassing as it is for the image of Geneva, hinted at a way out.
It will not be. Magid Khoury’s request for additional hearings will prolong the saga. Pierre Maudet, deprived of many prerogatives in his department and excluded from the PLR, will have to wait to know his legal fate.
Read also: Pierre Maudet case: the interminable investigation
Two years after the shock wave caused by the magistrate’s prevention, weariness now dominates, in the political class and the public, in the face of this impossible outcome. At a time when the government is asking the people of Geneva to make enormous efforts, the flawed functioning of cantonal policy caused by the affair risks dragging on and on.
A growing rift between the Grand Council and the Executive has emerged this week during debates over state accounts. These tensions do not bode well for future budget discussions.
In addition, the failure of negotiations to save the Auto Show showed how the cantonal economy, so strong until then, could quickly lose feathers. When the Council of State fails to make itself heard, despite millions of public money placed on the table, one can doubt its ability to influence events.
At the height of the pandemic, the Executive spoke with one voice to convince the Genevans to respect containment. Government unity, albeit front, has helped curb the spread of the virus. May elected officials maintain this attitude to help Geneva emerge from the crisis. There will always be time to settle the accounts afterwards.
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