Swiss press say ‘absurd’ European climate ruling could harm democracy

Influential newspapers in Switzerland on Wednesday criticised a climate change ruling against the Swiss government by Europe's top human rights court, saying it risked undermining democracy and the political clout of environmental groups. Tuesday's ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in favour of over 2,000 Swiss women who said Switzerland had not done enough to combat climate change is expected to embolden more people to bring climate cases against governments. As environmental groups celebrated the ruling by the Strasbourg court, newspaper editorials said the decision would fan fears that the judiciary was getting involved in politics.