Bollards to protect Swiss parliament from terror attacks
The Parliament square in the Swiss capital Bern regularly hosts events like this exhibition match featuring Roger Federer in 2011.
Keystone / Peter Klaunzer
The Federal Parliament building in Bern is to be better protected against potential terrorist attacks by erecting bollards on the northern side.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-Keystone/ac
العربية
ar
قوالب إسمنتية لحماية مبنى البرلمان من الهجمات الإرهابية
A dozen stone bollards will be erected on the sidewalk opposite the parliament square that hosts a twice-weekly farmer’s market and regular events. The security measure was suggested by the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) in view of the increased threat of terrorism throughout Europe.
It has now been approved by the administrative department of the Federal Parliament. The building permit application for the bollards will be submitted in autumn.
Terrorists choose places with a high media presence, said Peter Winkler, project manager of the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics, on Swiss public television SRF on Friday.
He added that it was important to find a good balance between regular activity on the parliament square and a minimum amount of security to ensure that nobody can simply drive through the main entrances of the parliament building.
More
More
Is the Swiss parliament vulnerable to terrorism?
This content was published on
The federal parliament in Bern should be better protected, says the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol).
Swiss central banker wants to boost equity to head off risks
This content was published on
Equity levels at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are much too low for the risks its large balance sheet poses, according to Martin Schlegel.
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
Compensation for Syrian after pregnant wife denied help on Swiss train
This content was published on
Switzerland’s Federal Court has partially upheld the appeal of a Syrian family being deported from Switzerland to Italy in 2014. The man now also receives compensation.
Swiss-EU negotiations: Cassis to meet Sefcovic in Bern
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will meet the Vice-President of the EU Commission, Maros Sefcovic, in Bern on Wednesday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss government uncoordinated in terror simulation exercise
This content was published on
A simulation of terrorist acts that included a hostage situation at the UN, an attack on a railway station and a potential nuclear plant leak.
This content was published on
The space around government buildings is often fenced off and high security. Not so in Bern where Parliament Square is the most democratic and accessible of spaces. Farmers sell their produce here, children play in the fountains, political campaigns are launched and activities range from concerts to demonstrations to ice-skating. The “arranged emptiness” of the…
This content was published on
We take you to the food market outside parliament in Bern and to markets at the heart of four other cities around the world.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.