New cantonal constitution leads to a test in Valais
Published: Tuesday, Feb 6th 2024, 09:51
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On March 3, Valais will decide whether it wants to adopt a new constitution. Changes to the electoral system are raising fears among the German-speaking minority in Upper Valais. The second proposal is about extending store opening hours.
The new cantonal constitution contains several changes at a political level. The cantonal government will now consist of seven instead of just five members, with the Upper, Middle and Lower Valais each being guaranteed one seat.
If the new constitution is adopted, the seats in the Grand Council will be distributed according to the resident population, including foreigners. This new formula will be accompanied by a transitional provision to prevent the Upper Valais from losing too many seats in one fell swoop. This takes into account the fact that Upper Valais has fewer foreigners and its population (around 25%) is growing more slowly than in Central and Lower Valais.
The canton will also be divided into six regions, which will be formed around the cities of Brig, Visp, Sierre, Sion, Martigny and Monthey. This means that the previous thirteen districts will no longer exist. Nevertheless, Valais will retain its flag with the thirteen stars symbolizing the thirteen previous districts.
Opposition from the Upper Valais
The center and the SVP of the Upper Valais reject the changes to the electoral system outright. The No camp fears not only a weakening of the Upper Valais as a linguistic and cultural minority, but also a test of cantonal unity.
In particular, the representatives of the German-speaking minority would have liked a guarantee of two seats in the seven-member State Council. They also demanded a written assurance that they would be entitled to one of the two seats in the Council of States.
The majority of the Constitutional Council, on the other hand, was of the opinion that "every vote in the canton must count equally". It recalled that linguistic minorities are not guaranteed any seats at federal level.
The SP, the FDP, the Greens and part of the center of the French-speaking Valais support the new constitution, which "should enable Valais to take on the challenges of the 21st century". The Yes Committee particularly welcomes the enshrinement of the rights of children and people with disabilities and the right to a healthy and safe environment.
Voting rights for foreigners as a variant
The controversial voting rights for foreign nationals at municipal level will be presented to the population as a variant. In doing so, the Constitutional Council wanted to prevent the bill from being shipwrecked on this point alone. However, the vote has not yet been won.
There is also opposition from the business community, for example. The Valais Trade Association and the Valais Chamber of Industry and Commerce, for example, speak of a "Christmas wish list" that is too expensive for the municipalities, taxpayers and the economy. The cantonal government did not recommend a vote.
The Valais electorate approved the popular initiative for a total revision of the cantonal constitution in March 2018 with almost 73% of votes in favor and decided to assign this task to a Constitutional Council. This council worked for four years on the draft of the new constitution, which is to replace the one from 1907.
Store closes at 19.00
The second bill is about extending store opening hours. The majority of the cantonal parliament voted clearly in favor of this amendment to the law on store opening hours. The left-wing party launched a referendum against it. The SP, the Greens and the trade unions believe that the law is useless for customers, worsens the working conditions of sales staff and favors large supermarkets at the expense of smaller stores. The center also rejects the law, while the FDP decided to abstain from voting.
The revised law provides for all stores to be allowed to stay open half an hour longer during the week in future. The closing time would be moved from 6.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
On Saturdays and the days before public holidays, it should continue to close at 5.00 pm. In tourist regions, stores should be allowed to remain open until 9 p.m. seven days a week as before.
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