Zürich government councillor Jacqueline Fehr has sparked political backlash after publicly criticizing a proposed tightening of juvenile criminal law. In an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger, the SP politician warned against raising maximum prison sentences for minors, placing herself in direct opposition to her own cantonal government’s official stance and breaching the principle of collegiality.
Origins of the Juvenile Law Debate
The controversy stems from a March 2024 incident in which a 15-year-old youth stabbed an orthodox Jew. The resulting one-year prison sentence handed down to the teenager struck many as insufficient, sparking a discussion over the juvenile criminal law.
Following the public outcry, SVP National Councillor Nina Fehr Düsel, 45, submitted a parliamentary initiative in Bern to raise the maximum possible custodial sentence for juveniles to two years. Both the Council of States’ small chamber and its legal committee subsequently endorsed the legislative push.
In response to the advancing proposal, the Conference of Cantonal Directors of Justice and Police (KKJPD) intervened by dispatching a letter to parliamentary members urging them to reject any increase in prison terms for young offenders.
Fehr’s Public Opposition and Backlash
Speaking as a board member of the KKJPD, Fehr, 63, echoed the organization’s concerns in her interview with the Tages-Anzeiger. She argued that locking up teenagers for longer periods exposes them to criminal adults, leading to poor socialization behind bars and making the harsher sentencing measure counterproductive.
The remarks immediately drew sharp condemnation from political opponents. Tobias Weidmann, 43, the SVP faction president in Zürich, accused Fehr in the NZZ of violating the collegiality principle, noting that the broader Zürich government council officially supports the legal tightening. This marks the second time Fehr has faced a reprimand for breaching the principle, following a similar violation in 2019.
Did You Know?
Zürich government councillor Jacqueline Fehr previously faced a reprimand for breaching the government’s collegiality principle back in 2019 before her recent public comments on juvenile law.
Social Media Defense and Double-Standards Claim
When questioned by the NZZ, Fehr defended her actions by pointing to her specific responsibilities within the KKJPD board, where she oversees the juvenile criminal law portfolio. She declined to comment on whether she had cleared her statements beforehand with her government council colleagues and did not respond to inquiries from Blick.
Fehr later addressed the controversy directly on LinkedIn. She acknowledged that her public stance breached internal government rules, writing, “Ja, ich ritze damit das Kollegialitätsprinzip, weil der Zürcher Regierungsrat eine andere Meinung vertritt” (Yes, I am scratching the principle of collegiality because the Zürich government council holds a different opinion). She maintained that she was simply upholding the official position of the KKJPD and professional associations working with young offenders.
At the same time, Fehr criticized media coverage of the incident. She questioned why the NZZ singled out her actions while ignoring a similar divergence by her SVP colleague Ernst Stocker, 71. According to Fehr, Stocker publicly advocated for the “Ständemehr” (majority of cantons) requirement regarding bilateral agreements (Bilateralen III) in an interview, despite the executive council opposing that position.
Expert Insight
Potential Consequences and Political Outlook
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the debate over juvenile criminal law begin?
The discussion started after a 15-year-old youth received a one-year prison sentence following a March 2024 stabbing attack on an orthodox Jew, which many critics viewed as too lenient.
What is Jacqueline Fehr’s official role regarding the legislation?
Fehr serves as a member of the board of the Conference of Cantonal Directors of Justice and Police (KKJPD) and holds responsibility for the juvenile criminal law portfolio within that organization.
What rule did Fehr admit to breaking?
Fehr acknowledged on LinkedIn that she violated the collegiality principle by publicly opposing a legal tightening that the Zürich government council as a whole supports.
How should cantonal executives balance their organizational duties with the principle of governmental collegiality?
Related reading