Swiss parliament bans extremist and Nazi symbols

(ANSA) – GENEVA, APRIL 17 – Swiss legislators voted today in favor of a ban on the display of extremist and racist symbols, starting with Nazi ones. The votes in favor in the lower house of the National Council were 133, while 38 were against. The entire Swiss parliament is now in favor of it, after the upper house of the Council of States voted in favor of such a ban in December. Switzerland, which remained neutral during World War II, has come under pressure to align with other European countries in banning Nazi symbols. Total bans are in place in Germany, Poland and many other Eastern European countries. “We don’t want a swastika or a Hitler salute in our country, ever!”, said Green MP Raphael Mahaim. Until now in Switzerland it was possible, even permitted, to display a swastika flag on the balcony. It was possible to put a flag with the image of the SS on the windshield of your car and even give the Hitler salute in public spaces. (HANDLE).