News:

The Swiss Federal Council, the executive body of the federal government of the country, is to create an independent commission on Nazi looted art.

The Upper House of the Swiss Parliament has supported the Federal Council proposal to create the aforementioned commission.

A corresponding vote on a motion by National Councillor Jon Pult took place in Parliament regarding the establishment of the Commission.

Pult based his initiative on the dispute over the arms dealer Emil Bührle, saying that more effective instruments were needed to deal with Nazi looted art in Switzerland, similar to those in place in Germany, France or Austria.

The motion was shortened by the Council of States by the relevant points and now goes back to the National Council.

The Council of States has also decided to establish a national platform for provenance research, an online database to collect and research information on the provenance of works of art that are traded, collected and exhibited in Switzerland.

It is now up to the Federal Council to set up the commission and create the platform.