Swiss Politician's Controversial Target Practice Sparks Outrage

In a controversial incident that occurred approximately one year ago, Sanija Ameti, a 32-year-old Zurich city councilor from the Green-Liberal party, found herself at the center of a public outcry. The politician, known for her firearms enthusiasm and legal expertise in cybersecurity, made a significant error in judgment during a target practice session.

Ameti used a poster advertising an auction of a 14th-century Madonna and Child painting as a target for her sport pistol. The painting, created by Italian artist Tommaso del Mazza, who was active in Florence between 1377 and 1392, was scheduled for auction at Koller Auctions, one of Switzerland's leading auction houses. The councilor then shared images of the bullet-riddled poster on Instagram, a platform with over 1 billion monthly active users globally.

The backlash was swift and severe. Ameti quickly removed the post and issued an apology on social media platform X, stating, "I apologize to the people who were hurt by my post. I deleted it immediately when I realized its religious content. I didn't think about it. I'm incredibly sorry."

Despite her apology, the consequences were significant. The Zurich chapter of the Green-Liberal Party, which was founded in 2007 to promote environmental sustainability and liberal economic policies, initiated expulsion proceedings against Ameti. Additionally, her employer, Farner Group, terminated her employment contract.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation, particularly from religious groups. The Swiss bishops expressed their disapproval, stating that the act "hurts the religious sensibilities of many Catholics." This reaction underscores the delicate balance between Switzerland's strong gun culture, which contributes to one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, and respect for religious symbols.

"We support religious freedom and oppose incitement. Ameti's actions were wrong and inappropriate, but she has asked for forgiveness and acknowledged that her actions were absolutely stupid."

Operation Libero, a Swiss political movement established in 2014 and co-founded by Ameti, distanced itself from her actions while acknowledging her request for forgiveness. The organization advocates for free democracy and has been influential in Swiss political discourse.

The timing of the incident was particularly sensitive, occurring just weeks before important referendums on national and local issues. One such referendum, scheduled for September 22, 2023, focused on an initiative to better protect biodiversity in Switzerland, where about one-third of native species are at risk.

This controversy highlights the complex interplay between personal freedoms, religious sensitivity, and political responsibility in Switzerland's direct democracy system. It also serves as a reminder of the power of social media and the potential consequences of impulsive actions in the digital age.

As a result of the threats received following the incident, Ameti and her family reportedly sought police protection, a measure not uncommon for public figures in Switzerland facing security concerns. This development underscores the serious nature of the backlash and the potential dangers faced by politicians in the public eye.

The incident has reignited discussions about gun culture, religious respect, and political accountability in Switzerland, a country known for its unique blend of traditional values and progressive policies. As the dust settles on this controversy, it remains to be seen how it will impact Ameti's political future and the broader discourse on these sensitive issues in Swiss society.