GLP politician sparks controversy with provocative social media post, now reveals motives and plans for political comeback.
Ameti aims to return to the political stage, GLP being her “political home.”
In September, the Green Liberal Party politician Sanija Ameti caused nationwide outrage with a single post on the social media platform Instagram. In the post, she was depicted shooting a sport pistol at an image of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
Although she promptly deleted the post and apologized, she faced public and political backlash. She did not attend the Zurich City Council meetings and was dismissed from her position as a PR consultant. Since then, she has retreated from the public eye.
Three months after the incident, the politician spoke for the first time about her actions in an interview with “Schweiz am Wochenende”. The co-president of Operation Libero also hinted at her return to the political arena. She may resume her seat in the city parliament next Wednesday.
Under Extreme Fatigue
In the interview published on Saturday, Ameti reiterated that her actions were a mistake. She expressed deep regret for what she had done and the consequences it triggered, emphasizing that she does not seek to justify the incident. “I am ashamed of this mistake,” she said. Taking responsibility also means facing the consequences. Ameti received death threats and was temporarily under police protection. GLP President Jürg Grossen also called for her expulsion from the party.
Explaining why she chose to shoot at the religious image that evening, Ameti attributed it to being overworked and “completely exhausted” after several night shifts. “In such situations, shooting sports helps me,” she said.
However, something in her mind shifted, throwing her off balance. She thought of her family and her brother who was killed while fleeing in the 1990s. “When I looked at the picture on the wall, I saw nothing. I only felt pain,” Ameti explained.
To cope with the pain, she posted the image on social media. On a “normal day,” she would have discussed it with someone. “The phone was there, and so I did what I would never have done with some thought,” she justified her actions.
Ameti mentioned that social media has taken over a significant part of politicians’ daily lives, blurring the lines between real, private life, and digital, public life.
“I am an Atheist”
Ameti failed to provide an explanation for why she shot at a religious image. She simply took a page from an auction catalog as a target, which was on a pile of waste paper.
“I have always kept religion as far away from me as possible,” she said, emphasizing that she is an “Atheist.” However, she noted that her Muslim background is highlighted whenever she makes a mistake. She expressed irritation at being “forced into an identity.”
She appreciated the response from the Catholic Women’s Association and the forgiveness from Bishop Bonnemain, calling it “one of the most beautiful things” she has experienced. Ameti found humanism and enlightenment in the Catholic Church, values she missed elsewhere.
Ameti mentioned that she had been too afraid to leave the house in recent weeks but now feels ready to do so. She is no longer on sick leave and is capable of fulfilling her obligations.
Ameti’s Exclusion a “Complex Process”
Ameti received considerable support from the GLP base. She declined to comment on GLP President Jürg Grossen. “Ending my political engagement was never an option for me,” she stated. She aims to remain green-liberal, with the GLP being her “political home.”
In a statement on Saturday, the Green Liberals of Zurich mentioned receiving a letter from the national party in September regarding the expulsion of Sanija Ameti from the party. This process is legally complex.
Conversations with Ameti are ongoing, but internal processing has been delayed due to her sick leave. The process is expected to conclude “in the next few weeks.”
The board of Operation Libero stated in a blog post that they intend to retain Ameti as co-president of the movement.