Suche
Bern voters decide on new representation regulations for city councilors
In the future, Bern city councilors would like to be represented for up to six months, without giving a reason. In February, the people will decide on this regulation for the compatibility of mandate, family and career.
Bern voters decide on new representation regulations for city councilors
The Bern city councilors are seeking a new regulation that would enable them to be represented for up to six months without giving reasons. This would not only increase flexibility during their tenure but also promote work-life balance. However, this decision still requires the approval of voters, who will be allowed to vote on the measure in February 2024.
The city government promised to push ahead with adjustments to the municipal code. The City Council unanimously passed this change at a recent meeting and is now in the final stages before the people can vote on it. The new regulation states that the 80 members of the city council can be temporarily represented in the event of maternity, illness or further training without having to justify this.
Background and details of the regulation
The system stipulates that city council members can be represented as often as they wish during their term of office, with the total duration of the representation being a maximum of 12 months. An interesting peculiarity is that the deputies are selected according to the same criteria as replacements, i.e. people who ran in the last election but did not receive enough votes for a seat.
The city council has emphasized that collecting reasons for representation is not only burdensome but could also potentially infringe on members' privacy. Instead, the focus will simply be on the permission to substitute. This reform variant is already established in several other cities in Switzerland, including Burgdorf. Last March, Biel voters also voted for a similar regulation.
With the introduction of this representation regulation, the Bern city council could be a role model for other municipalities that are considering similar considerations. Even if the approval process is still in full swing, this could be a right step towards a more modern design of political offices that adapts to the realities of the candidates' lives.
For further information on this topic, interested readers can read here.