Zug,30.01.2015

Hürlimann distributes written apology to cantonal parliamentarians

Markus Hürlimann, the SVP member for Baar in the cantonal parliament, attended the first session in the chamber on Thursday since it was revealed he was involved in a sex scandal with Jolanda Spiess-Hegglin of the Green Alternative Party, following a celebration of the inauguration of Heinz Tännler as head of the cantonal government on 20 December.
 
Speaking to the press prior to the session, Hürlimann said that he hoped the cantonal parliament would be able to conduct its normal business without reference to the events of that evening at the Schiff restaurant. He said he had written an explanatory letter to the parliament explaining why he intended to remain as elected member for Baar. He admitted kissing Spiess-Hegglin but emphasised he had never ever bought any date-rape drug and would never dream of using such. He hoped fellow parliamentarians, the media and the public would remember that, until proved otherwise, it should be presumed he was innocent of any alleged offence.
 
The written explanation, which extended to two sides of A4 paper, was addressed to the president of the cantonal parliament (Moritz Schmid, also of the SVP party), honorable members of the cantonal parliament, the head of the cantonal government (Heinz Tännler, also of the SVP party) and the other six members of the cantonal government.
 
He began by saying how much he had grappled with three major questions since the evening of 20 December, namely whether he should continue as president of the SVP party of Zug, whether he should resign as member of the cantonal parliament and whether he should attend this first session of the cantonal parliament at all.
He said how he had had to confess to his wife for his action involving Spiess-Hegglin that evening and admitted that it had been inappropriate.
 
"Of course we all bear responsibility for our own actions," he said. "And this is no different after the events of the evening of 20 December. I would like to say I have not been unaffected by the serious accusations levelled at me in the press and in public. I wish to make it clear that I categorically deny them. Furthermore, I, too, am anxious that this matter should come to a quick conclusion and to this end I would like to add I am cooperating fully with the prosecution services. I would have preferred to say more on an earlier occasion, but this was not possible because of the ongoing investigations."
 
He then wrote how he felt he could not continue as president of the cantonal SVP party, much as he explained last Thursday, and as previously reported, when addressing a party meeting in Walchwil.
 
He added how he felt his moral transgression did not mean he had to resign as cantonal parliamentarian and that all people in public life also had a private life.
 
He reiterated his regret at what had happened that evening but also emphasised that, by the time his transgression took place, the formal gathering for the celebrations of the inauguration of Heinz Tännler as head of the cantonal government had long since finished and that an extension to the party had continued spontaneously. He regretted that the press had picked up on the possible use of a date-rape drug and the great coverage which ensued. "Had this not been inferred, no one would have demanded I resign from parliament or the party," he wrote.
 
As to whether he felt he should have attended the opening parliamentary session of the year, he recognised that the press again would make a meal of his attendance but hoped that members would not be too distracted from conducting normal parliamentary business. "I am here facing up to my responsibilities and taking part," he wrote.
 
He then expressed his profuse apologies to all those to whom this explanation was addressed and regretted the negative effects the matter had had on political discussion in the canton of Zug.
 
In conclusion he reiterated his intention to do all he could to ensure the matter was brought to a quick conclusion, emphasing he realised he may have transgressed morally but had certainly done nothing criminal.
 
As a reminder, Hürlimann was arrested on 23 December as a result of allegations of administering a date-rape drug but he was subsequently released. Tests on samples of Spies-Hegglin's blood and urine by the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the University of Zurich showed no evidence of her having taken a date-rape drug or similar substance. Results of a sample of her hair are still awaited.
 
The SVP party is to discuss Hürlimann's membership on two meetings over the next few weeks, though it would be possible only for the SVP party of Baar to throw him out, meaning that, if he stays a parliamentarian, he would have to sit as an independent member. A number of SVP parliamentarians have threatened to resign if Hürlimann remains a member of the party.
 
The atmosphere in the chamber on Thursday was rather strained. Jolanda Spiess-Hegglin (second photograph) also turned up, but never said a word. Speaking possibly for many members, Monika Weber of the FDP party of Steinhausen said she was surprised both Spiess-Hegglin and Hürlimann had dared to turn up in the lions' den. Some members demanded their resignation there and then. "We cannot continue to work with such parliamentarians," said Daniel Burch, also of the FDP party. "All trust has gone."
 
Herbert Schuler of the SP party of Hünenberg, who only left the office of president of the cantonal parliament last month, said (of the couple), "They are no longer credible, especially when one sees how they have behaved since the story broke and how they keep bringing in new aspects. It is just not right."