The Canton of Geneva will not contribute to the financing of the new Swiss Guard barracks in the Vatican.
The Grand Council has in fact refused, with 50 no and 43 yes, to discuss a possible contribution.
The project of the centrist Democratic Union envisaged the granting of 500,000 francs (535,000 euros) to the Foundation for the Restoration of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Barracks in the Vatican.
Swiss TV reports it.
"The sum is not the real problem of this project", underlined the Green MP Pierre Eckert, majority rapporteur.
The Grand Councilor referred to a legal opinion requested from the relevant department, according to which the confessional neutrality of the State of Geneva does not allow it to subsidize religious activity.
"Although it does not house any ecclesiastical representatives, the building is used by a police force serving a religious authority," he explained.
However, Geneva's no will not have any impact - again according to the Swiss media - on the restoration project of the Pope's Guard Barracks. The foundation would have raised, between promises of gifts and actual donations, 48.5 million francs.
The estimated cost of the project to renovate the building, located within the Vatican walls immediately after Porta Sant'Anna, amounts to 50 million.
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