Donzallaz withdraws re-election bid as commission backs other judges

Federal Supreme Court justice Yves Donzallaz has withdrawn his candidacy for re-election, SRF reported on Wednesday, citing Court Commission president Leo Müller.

The commission, which includes members of both chambers of parliament, recommends that the Federal Assembly re-elect all the justices standing for another term, including Beatrice van de Graaf.

The court’s full renewal election was postponed to the winter session after the Weltwoche newspaper reported the relationship between Donzallaz and van de Graaf in April. The commission said it wanted more time to investigate.

Last week, the Federal Supreme Court unanimously ruled in a public hearing on a revision request related to the relationship that the two justices had violated the law. Their relationship ended in early April and has consequences for cases in which they served as judges. They were never members of the same division at the same time.

The Federal Supreme Court Act bars lasting partnerships between judges to avoid any appearance of bias.