Fund instead of public holiday to commemorate the founding of the federal state
Published: Tuesday, Nov 21st 2023, 13:00
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Following the rejection of a new public holiday to commemorate the first Federal Constitution of 1848, the responsible Council of States committee is proposing an alternative. The political institutions are to be strengthened with a fund for democracy and the rule of law.
The State Policy Committee of the Council of States (SIK-S) passed a motion to this effect by 7 votes to 0 with one abstention, as reported by the parliamentary services on Tuesday. The small chamber will decide on this next.
This fund is intended to support activities to strengthen understanding of and commitment to the political institutions of the Swiss federal state, according to the justification for the proposal. The focus of these activities should be on young people in particular. The fund should also promote the knowledge and use of the national languages in order to strengthen the cohesion of Switzerland.
The fund is to be managed by a committee of five to a maximum of nine people, independent of parliament and the administration, who are elected by the Federal Council for a term of four years and may be re-elected no more than twice.
Public holiday costs too much
Various events have been held this year to commemorate the adoption of the first Federal Constitution 175 years ago. In the fall, however, the Council of States rejected the idea of introducing a second national holiday on September 12.
Like the Federal Council, opponents feared considerable economic costs. Moreover, other activities might be more appropriate to commemorate the founding of the federal state.
On September 12, 1848, the Diet declared the Federal Constitution adopted and brought it into force. The old Confederation thus became the modern federal state. The first democracy in Europe since antiquity came into being.
August 1 has only been a non-working day since 1994. The date of August 1 was chosen in reference to the Federal Charter of early August 1291. 83.8 percent of voters backed an initiative by the Swiss Democrats (SD) in a referendum.
©Keystone/SDA
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