Major Moutier debate on March 6 simultaneously in Bern and Delsberg
Published: Sunday, Feb 25th 2024, 10:20
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Moutier's change of canton is likely to clear another important hurdle on March 6. On this day, the Jura parliament and the Bernese cantonal parliament will vote on the concordat that defines the modalities of the transfer.
The two cantonal parliaments have agreed to discuss the matter on the same day. Approval of the concordat is considered certain in both Delsberg and Bern. A rejection would bring the process to an abrupt end and usher in a period of tension and uncertainty.
The document, which was signed by the Bernese and Jura governments on November 24, 2023, comprises 36 articles. It is intended to put an end to all territorial disputes between the two cantons and thus settle the Jura conflict at an institutional level.
The intercantonal concordat regulates the most important points relating to the transfer of the still Bernese municipality of Moutier with its approximately 7200 inhabitants. In particular, it deals with continuity in administration, schools, justice, hospitals and taxes.
Allocation of goods
The distribution of goods is also regulated. The bottom line is that the Jura will pay CHF 7.7 million to the Canton of Bern. However, the final figures have not yet been determined.
In order to avoid too long a period without political representation, the concordat provides for the participation of Moutier's population even before the change of canton. Citizens can take part in the Jura elections at the end of 2025 and run for parliament and the government.
In the Jura parliament, the MPs do not want to be seen as the gravediggers of the changeover from Moutier, which is set for January 1, 2026. At best, some MPs could express their fear that a Delsberg-Moutier axis could be established at the expense of Porrentruy. However, it is unlikely that they will reject the concordat for this reason.
Article 139 must go
The Jura MPs will also discuss the repeal of Article 139 of the cantonal constitution. This article gives the government the power to initiate a process aimed at uniting the territories of the Bernese Jura and the Canton of Jura into a new canton.
The repeal of Article 139 is one of the prerequisites for the Moutier Concordat to come into force. The parties agreed on this in September 2021 when they set out the timetable for Moutier's transition.
The Mouvement autonomiste jurassien (MAJ) will not oppose the concordat or the repeal of Article 139. However, the autonomy movement is of the opinion that the case of Moutier's neighboring municipality of Belprahon BE has not yet been settled. The village rejected the switch to the Jura by just seven votes.
"Only losers"
Not all deputies in the Bernese Grand Council are in favor of the concordat. SVP deputies from the Bernese Jura announced their intention to vote no immediately after the document was signed. In their view, there are only losers.
They are likely to be joined by one or two FDP MPs from the Bernese Jura, who are of the opinion that the canton of Bern could have gained more financially. The opponents kept a low profile in the run-up to the parliamentary debate; their "no" vote does not call into question the approval of the Bernese cantonal parliament.
German and French-speaking MPs from the left to the right have spoken out in favor of the concordat. In their opinion, a "no" vote would reignite the Jura conflict and jeopardize the projects launched by Avenir Berne romande for the Bernese Jura.
Historic step
After the two parliaments, the voters in Jura and the canton of Bern will have to vote on the concordat on September 22, 2024. The change of canton also requires the blessing of the Federal Assembly. They will decide in summer or fall 2025 and their decision is subject to a referendum period.
The electorate of Moutier voted in favor of the move to the canton of Jura on March 28, 2021. Never before has a Swiss municipality of this size moved to a new canton.
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