SWISS authorities have been accused of “bowing to global elites” by rejecting permission for protesters to demonstrate against US president Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Tamara Funiciello, of Switzerland’s Young Socialists, said: “I find it scandalous! It’s unbelievable.”

The authorities said heavy snowfall had limited the space available for a demonstration in Davos on Thursday, the day before Trump is due to address the World Economic Forum.

Funiciello said the move was “a way of hiding behind the power of global elites”, adding that the authorities “need stronger spines”.

Davos officials said: “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 on Thursday.

The Swiss military is stationing 4377 troops in and around Davos to provide security for this year’s meetings at the World Economic Forum, which is set to be headlined by Trump.

General Aldo Schellenberg said the number was not changed following the announcement that Trump would be the first serving US president to attend in nearly 20 years.

There is some uncertainty about Trump’s attendance, however, in light of the US government shutdown in Washington.