Swiss media finds Trump impeachment gambit rather risky
The decision of Democrats in the United States House of Representatives to launch a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump dominated morning news headlines in Switzerland.
This content was published on
3 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ds
Swiss media tended to view the move as an understandable but risky gambit that could backfire on the Democrats in the divided nation.
“The impeachment procedure against Trump is a dangerous strategy,” warns the headline of an op-ed written by Meret Baumann for the German-language NZZ newspaper. She notes that a recent survey suggests that only a third of the US population supports impeachment.
“An impeachment would further deepen the trenches in the already dangerously polarised country. Moreover, there’s no point even raising the prospect of bipartisan support for impeachment,” she writes.
French-language newspaper Le Temps found the chances of impeachment to be slim but called the move a “historic turning point in American politics.”
The formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump focuses on allegations that he pressured a foreign power to damage a political rival. The outcome will weigh on the 2020 presidential campaign in the United States.
Revelations about Trump’s telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodimir Selenski set the stage for the Democrats’ change of strategy.
But the overarching cause was repeated White House moves to block Congressional oversight – evident in the investigation of Trump’s tax returns and the aftermath of Robert Mueller’s report which Democrats argue includes impeachable offences.
Not without risk
Swiss public television (SRF) correspondent Peter Düggeli also wrote that launching impeachment investigations is not without risk for the Democrats.
First, it will force apart an already deeply divided nation, he reckons. Because there is so much at stake, “the tone is likely to be even dirtier and the political style even more depressed.” For this, he argues, the Democrats will have to shoulder the blame.
Second, it is unclear whether most Americans back this course of action.
“Many Americans have long since made up their minds about Trump and want to punish him at the ballot box – not with a laborious, protracted impeachment procedure, which in the end will surely fail,” continues Düggeli.
Lastly, Trump and his most loyal Republican backers have “once again red meat to throw to their electoral base, reaching Trump voters who might have almost lost their enthusiasm for the president.”
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
Meet the foreigners who make up a quarter of the Swiss population
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Cold front leads to record-low temperatures in Switzerland
This content was published on
Friday's cold front caused record temperatures and closed mountain passes. The snow line was between 1,200 and 1,500m on Saturday, MeteoSwiss reported.
Collecting of vote signatures to continue in Switzerland as planned
This content was published on
The Swiss government is refraining from taking drastic emergency measures following the revelation of suspected cases of fraud.
Swiss VAT to rise by 0.7 points to finance 13th pension payment
This content was published on
VAT is to be increased by 0.7 percentage points in Switzerland to finance the 13th monthly pension payment. This payment will be introduced in 2026.
Swiss rents expected to keep rising owing to low vacancy rates
This content was published on
Although the decline in vacancies has slowed this year, it is likely to continue next year, according to UBS. As a result, rents are expected to continue to rise.
Swiss government wants to support cantons financially after storms
This content was published on
The Swiss government wants to secure additional financial aid for cantons Graubünden, Ticino, Valais, Vaud and Bern following the severe storms last summer.
Eight years for parents who killed disabled daughter in Switzerland
This content was published on
A couple who killed their severely disabled daughter in Hägglingen, northern Switzerland, have each been sentenced to eight years in prison.
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.