Canton of Bern wants to be able to pass urgent laws
Published: Wednesday, Feb 7th 2024, 09:50
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The canton of Bern wants to be able to pass urgent laws in future. This means that requirements that cannot be delayed can be implemented immediately. In order to be able to introduce urgent legislation at all, an amendment to the constitution is required. The people of Bern will vote on this on March 3.
During the coronavirus pandemic in particular, it became clear that the mills of Bernese legislation grinded slowly - too slowly for a constantly changing situation.
A law can only come into force in the Canton of Berne if either no referendum is held against it or the law is approved in a referendum. The deadline for submitting a referendum is three months.
An urgent law, on the other hand, can enter into force immediately after its adoption by parliament. Other cantons and the Confederation already have urgent legislation.
For an urgent law to be passed, it would require at least a two-thirds majority in Bern's cantonal parliament, the Grand Council. According to the canton, the hurdle is deliberately set high so that such laws remain an exception.
In addition, the urgent law must be put to a mandatory referendum within six months. This is to ensure legitimacy. If the people were to reject a law, it would immediately cease to apply.
An urgent law strengthens the canton's ability to act and creates a swift legal basis, argued a majority of the Bernese Grand Council. The high hurdles with a two-thirds majority in the council and a referendum guarantee that urgent laws are only passed when they are really necessary.
The Grand Council unanimously approved the introduction of urgent legislation with 148 votes in favor. The constitutional amendment is not very controversial in the canton of Bern.
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