Summary
Zurich's departing city president Corine Mauch will remain on the board of directors of Zurich Airport AG for an additional year after her resignation in May 2026. For this mandate without operational responsibility, she receives an additional 20,000 Swiss francs in compensation. This is based on a city council decision from 2022 and the statutes of Zurich Airport AG. The City of Zurich simultaneously receives approximately 125,000 Swiss francs annually. The procedure raises questions about conflicts of interest and the legitimacy of mandates after leaving office.
Persons
- Corine Mauch (Zurich's city president, board member of Zurich Airport AG)
- Michael Baumer (FDP city councilor, top beneficiary of secondary income)
Topics
- Secondary mandates in Zurich's city council
- Zurich Airport AG governance
- Political conflicts of interest
- Transparency and compensation practices
Clarus Lead
After her resignation as city president, Corine Mauch retains her mandate on the board of directors of Zurich Airport AG for an additional year – an arrangement that provides 20,000 Swiss francs in additional compensation. The Zurich City Council decided this already in 2022 and exercises its nomination right according to company statutes. While the city itself receives approximately 125,000 Swiss francs, individual politicians benefit considerably: Re-elected FDP city councilor Michael Baumer collected 2023/2024 nearly 40,000 Swiss francs in secondary income each year – in addition to his base salary of 250,000 Swiss francs.
Detailed Summary
The practice of secondary mandates in the Zurich city council has been controversial for years. In addition to Mauch, this issue is particularly evident in Michael Baumer (FDP), who has established himself as the top beneficiary. The total compensation for such mandates regularly amounts to six figures – a pattern used by both left-wing and right-wing politicians, but with particular concentration among left-wing city councilors.
The Ordinance on City Representation in Bodies of Third Institutions (VVD) regulates this distribution: compensation is divided between personal compensation and city treasury allocations. For Mauch, this means that she – without operational responsibilities – functions as a board member for one year after leaving office, while maintaining her fiduciary duty and confidentiality obligations under corporate law.
Criticism in media commentary focuses on the incongruity between Mauch's public positions (sustainability focus) and her profit positions at an aviation company. There is also the question of the actual added value for Zurich Airport AG when a mandate holder functions without ongoing operational responsibility.
Key Points
- Contractual Extension: Mauch receives an additional year on the ZAAG board based on the 2022 city council decision and company statutes
- Financial Compensation: 20,000 Swiss francs personally; 125,000 Swiss francs to the city treasury – a significantly lower ratio than other mandates
- Systemic Practice: Secondary mandates with profit motives are common among Zurich executive politicians, particularly on the left
- Legitimacy Questions: Exercising a mandate without formal leadership responsibility after leaving office is legally permissible but politically questionable
Critical Questions
(Evidence/Data Quality): What evidence exists for the claimed total compensation of over 300,000 Swiss francs for Michael Baumer, and how was this determined?
(Conflicts of Interest): To what extent does Mauch's parallel role as climate politician and airport board member intensify a potential conflict of interest, and how is this made transparent?
(Causality/Alternatives): Could the city council have nominated alternative candidates from its own association instead of extending the departing city president's mandate?
(Feasibility/Risks): What specific corporate law obligations (confidentiality, fiduciary duty) apply to Mauch in the coming year, and how are conflicts with her political responsibility resolved?
(Evidence/Legitimation): Does the company statute alone justify the right to nominate, or are there explicit performance requirements for board mandates?
(Conflicts of Interest): What proportion of SP party financing comes from flows from such mandates, and is this reported transparently?
(Causality): Does the compensation practice lead to actual influence on city council politics in favor of the airport (e.g., on environmental standards or traffic issues)?
(Risks): What legal or reputational risks arise for Zurich Airport AG from nominating a political figure without operational aviation expertise?
Sources
Primary Source: Airport Parachute for Mauch: One More Year on the Board – insideparadeplatz.ch, Alex Gantner, 13.03.2026
Verification Status: ✓ 13.03.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 13.03.2026