Canton Bern launches consultation on voting rights for foreigners

Foreign nationals in canton Bern do not have the right to vote on cantonal or communal matters. Keystone-SDA

The Bern cantonal government has launched a consultation process concerning the possible introduction of optional voting rights for foreign residents at the municipality level.

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Municipalities that wish to make use of this option must amend the relevant law, the cantonal government announced on Monday.

This move is in line with the motion entitled “Communal autonomy for political rights”, adopted by the Bern cantonal parliament by 77 votes to 73 in September 2024. In this motion, the parliament instructed the government to draw up the legal bases to enable the communes to decide whether they wish to extend voting rights to foreign residents.

Municipalities would thus be able to grant the right to vote to foreign nationals who have reached the age of 18, hold a permanent residence permit and have lived continuously for at least ten years in Switzerland, at least five years in canton Bern and at least three months in the municipality concerned.

Foreign nationals in canton Bern do not have the right to vote on cantonal or communal matters. In cantons Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Vaud and Jura, foreign nationals are entitled to vote at municipal level subject to certain conditions, such as a minimum period of residence.

The consultation period will run until 27 January 2026.

Translated from French by DeepL/sb

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