Canton of Bern can introduce urgent legislation
Published: Sunday, Mar 3rd 2024, 15:40
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In the canton of Bern, urgent laws can come into force immediately in future. Voters approved a corresponding amendment to the cantonal constitution by a three-quarters majority.
300,393 voters approved the bill, 98,156 rejected it. The turnout was 54.8 percent, as reported by the State Chancellery on Sunday.
Today, a law only comes into force if there is no referendum or if it is approved in a referendum. However, the government and parliament argued that some laws cannot be delayed. This was demonstrated during the coronavirus pandemic.
Laws now come into force immediately once they have been passed by the cantonal parliament with a two-thirds majority. A referendum must then follow within six months. If the sovereign says no, the law is immediately repealed.
The Confederation and twelve cantons already have urgent legislation. The canton of Bern also needs the instrument, argued the proponents. This would strengthen the ability to act and the rule of law.
The Emergency Law No committee, which was led by critics of the coronavirus measures, took a different view. The urgent legislation weakens the sovereign and damages democracy. It was dangerous to give Bern's politicians such an "arbitrary tool".
©Keystone/SDA
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