Aargau parliament wants to stem the flood of shortlists in elections
Published: Tuesday, Apr 23rd 2024, 11:31
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The cantons should be able to limit the number of sub-lists per party in the National Council elections. The Aargau cantonal parliament wants to submit a cantonal initiative to limit the flood of sub-lists. In the last elections, 713 people ran on 52 lists for the 16 National Council seats in Aargau.
At the request of the Green, FDP and SVP parliamentary groups, the Grand Council decided on Tuesday by 86 votes to 47 to draft a corresponding initiative to the Federal Assembly. Parliament will decide again before the initiative is submitted.
The number of sub-lists has increased massively, according to the Greens, FDP and SVP. Many voters were "simply overwhelmed" by the flood of sub-lists. The chance of people on the sub-lists being elected is practically zero.
An invention of the center
The center, SP and EVP spoke out against a standing initiative. The sub-lists would have been worthwhile for the party and would also strengthen the sense of togetherness, said a spokesperson for the Center Party. The candidates could gain electoral experience.
In the 2019 election year, the then CVP (now: center) started with the many sub-lists. Last October, the SP, FDP, Greens, GLP and EPP followed suit. They ran with thematic or regional sub-lists. The record was held by the center with nine sub-lists. The FDP and GLP entered the race with five sub-lists each.
Federal Berne is reviewing
The flood of sub-lists is already an issue in Bern. The State Policy Committees of the Council of States and National Council are examining the issue. Councillor of States Thierry Burkart (FDP, AG) called for an "end to the uncontrolled growth of intra-party list combinations" in a motion.
In February, the Federal Council stated that a change to the rules for National Council elections would have far-reaching consequences for the political system. It therefore welcomed the fact that the Political Institutions Committees of both Councils were addressing the issue of electoral systems and electoral rules.
According to Councillor of States and party president Burkart, the number of lists and candidates has more than doubled in the past 20 years: in 2003, 262 lists were counted - last October, 618 lists. In the same period, the number of candidates rose from 2836 to 5909.
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