A group of nine individuals, including five beggars, has filed an appeal against the new Vaud law on begging. They believe that the law, approved by the Grand Council on October 1st, goes too far and restricts begging in too many places. The implementation of the law has been delayed due to this appeal.
The appeal was announced in the official notices of the Canton of Vaud on Friday and was filed with the Constitutional Court. Among the group of appellants is Luc Recordon, a former Vaudois cantonal councilor. Their lawyer, Xavier Rubli, stated that the changes to the Vaud penal law effectively ban begging entirely, even passive begging, in numerous locations.
The Grand Council, influenced by the PLR and the UDC, tightened restrictions on begging compared to the initial proposal by the State Council. The list of places where begging is now prohibited has been significantly expanded to include markets, near schools and playgrounds, building entrances, offices, banks, stores, cinemas, and museums.
Xavier Rubli argues that the Grand Council has gone too far with these restrictions, calling them “completely disproportionate.” He points out that under the law adopted on October 1st, there would be no areas in city centers where passive begging (sitting on the ground with a hand out) could be peacefully practiced.
In response to the appeal, the Vaudois PLR party expressed strong disapproval, stating that the delay caused by the appeal hinders the implementation of necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all Vaudois citizens. They are particularly upset because the measures approved by the Grand Council align with those of the Basel law, which has already been validated by the Federal Court.
The PLR hopes that the Constitutional Court will make a swift decision so that the people of Vaud can move about in “calm and safe streets.” This delay in implementing the law has been described by the PLR as a “major setback.”