Earlier this year, Sabine Tiguemounine, a parliamentarian from the Green Party, made news when she decided to sit in an area of Geneva’s parliament building open to the public, rather than in the main area where parliamentary members normally sit.

Earlier in 2019, the canton introduced rules preventing public officials, including members of parliament, showing outward signs of religious affiliation, such as the head scarf the parliamentarian normally wears, while carrying out their public duties.

The ban has since been suspended while the courts deliberate on an appeal launched by the Green Party.

Sabine Tiguemounine, made news again this week when she resigned from the Green Party.

According to the newspaper 20 Minutes, Tiguemounine publicly voiced views on gay marriage at odds with those held by the party. In January she said that she was not in favour of same sex marriage. For her, marriage is linked to procreation and the continuation of humanity.

The Green Party’s position on same sex marriage is in line with public opinion. One Swiss poll showed 70% in favour of same sex marriage.

Nicolas Walder, president of the party said that certain core party positions were at odds with the parliamentarian’s ethics and religious commitment. The media attention has been very painful for her and she has decided to step down, said Walder.

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20 Minutes article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now

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