A political storm is brewing within the Socialist Party (PS) of Geneva, marked by internal divisions, accusations of xenophobia, and the controversial freezing of new memberships. Multiple Swiss media outlets, including Tribune de Genève, Le Temps, and RTS, have reported on the escalating tensions, which revolve around the nomination of candidates for the Administrative Council elections.
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| Dorina Xhixho |
In the eye of this internal conflict is Dorina Xhixho, a Swiss politician of Albanian origin, who believes she has been treated unfairly by her own party. Xhixho, who serves as a personal advisor to Sami Kanaan, unexpectedly performed well in the nomination race but ultimately lost by just six votes. Swiss media, as cited by Oculus News, highlight the growing unrest within the party, especially regarding the selection process for key positions.
A Deepening Internal Crisis
Over the past few months, tensions have simmered within the Socialist Party’s city section, and they came to a head during a recent extraordinary general meeting. According to Tribune de Genève, the meeting was called to address the decision to freeze new memberships as well as to discuss broader issues of inclusion, diversity, and party statutes. This meeting, described as "horrific and violent" by Dorina Xhixho, aimed to quell concerns, but instead deepened the rift.
Xhixho expressed her frustration, stating: “I am being labeled as a sore loser, even though I am not questioning the nomination, but rather the process, which has been tarnished by the decision of the commission and these rumors.”
Accusations of Discrimination
What is particularly troubling is the suggestion that the membership freeze disproportionately affected candidates with immigrant backgrounds. RTS, the Swiss state broadcaster, reported that this last-minute decision to halt new memberships disadvantaged these candidates, a claim echoed by many within the party. Vanessa Klein, the only committee member who opposed the freeze, stated that the internal elections were tainted by “statutory and ethical irregularities” and surrounded by rumors that could be seen as xenophobic.
The accusations of xenophobia within Geneva’s largest political force are striking, given that the PS has long prided itself on standing against discrimination. These tensions are especially alarming in a party that has historically criticized the Swiss People's Party (UDC) for its stance on immigration, particularly against foreigners, including the Albanian community in Switzerland.
Allegations of Racism Surface
The controversy stretches back to the spring, according to Le Temps, when the General Assembly selected two executive candidates from a pool of seven. Among the candidates were two individuals with immigrant backgrounds, including Dorina Xhixho, who, despite her strong showing, fell short by six votes. A week before the membership freeze, rumors began circulating that recent Albanian members of the PS had engaged in “ballot stuffing,” a claim Xhixho strongly refutes.
Xhixho voiced her anger in an interview with Le Temps, noting that these unfounded rumors severely damaged her reputation: “A week before the membership freeze, ugly rumors spread that claimed Albanian members, who had recently joined the party, were engaged in vote rigging. The same accusations were made about another candidate of African descent. My image was tarnished.”
The Path Forward
The internal conflict within Geneva’s Socialist Party highlights broader issues of representation and inclusion within Swiss politics. As accusations of xenophobia and racism swirl, the party is left grappling with how to address these concerns while maintaining its commitment to diversity.
In the coming weeks, the party will need to resolve these issues to restore unity and trust among its members. How it navigates this controversy will not only affect its future electoral prospects but also its standing as a champion of equality and justice in Geneva’s political landscape.
For now, the controversy surrounding Dorina Xhixho and the freezing of memberships remains unresolved, leaving many to question the integrity of the party’s internal processes and its commitment to immigrant communities.