DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — The Latest on the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (all times local):
2:40 p.m.
Authorities in Davos, Switzerland, have rejected a request by left-wing groups to stage a protest during the World Economic Forum, saying heavy snowfall means there’s not enough space.
Davos officials said in a statement Monday that “the extremely tight space situation due to the enormous amount of new snow doesn’t allow for a rally in the coming days.”
Members of Switzerland’s Social Democratic Party and Green Party had requested permission to stage a protest Thursday.
The Alpine resort’s inability to cope with the mid-winter glut of snow means that protesters won’t get to stage their demonstration on the day U.S. President Donald Trump is due to arrive at the meeting of top political and economic leaders Friday.
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12:50 p.m.
The Swiss military is stationing 4,377 troops in and around Davos, Switzerland, to provide security for this year’s meetings at the World Economic Forum, which is set to be headlined by U.S. President Donald Trump.
General Aldo Schellenberg told The Associated Press that the number was not changed following the announcement that Trump would be the first serving president U.S. president to attend in nearly 20 years. He also said the security detail is similar to that provided in the past few years.
Around 93 percent of the military on display are conscripts. The Swiss air force is providing 2,580 troops, while 1,600 are infantry and 187 are from the military police.
In light of the heavy snow that’s falling around Davos, military and police officials are not sure how many people are preparing to protest against Trump’s visit.
There is some uncertainty about Trump’s attendance, however, in light of the government shutdown in Washington.
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11:15 a.m.
The founder of the World Economic Forum has told The Associated Press that he hopes President Donald Trump’s planned visit to a gathering of world decision-makers and elites in Davos later this week will “provide him even better with a global perspective.”
Klaus Schwab declined to comment whether the U.S. government shutdown might spoil Trump’s plans to attend the event in the Alpine snows and deliver a speech on Friday.
Schwab said Monday: “It’s good to have the president here, if the snow conditions and the situation in Washington allow us.”
The White House has said Trump plans to detail his “America First” policy in Davos. More than 60 heads of state and government, plus hundreds of business leaders, academics, policy advocates and celebrities are expected for the Tuesday-Friday meeting.
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