Die kommunalen Parlamente in der Schweiz: Eine Frage der Sprachregion und weniger der Gemeindegröße

Abstract

Communes form the third tier of the Swiss state structure and are organized differently from a political perspective . Parliaments are one possibility . In some Cantons, parliaments are the mandatory organizational form, while other Cantons lack the necessary foundations for a parliament; in other cantons again, the organizational form can be chosen . Parlia- ments are also unevenly distributed across the language regions: they are widespread in French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland, characterized by very long traditions, while less so in German-speaking Switzerland . In German-speaking Switzerland the communal assembly is most commonly found . Across all Cantons, only a few provisions by the legisla- tor define their internal organization . Parliaments have great freedom to shape their parlia- mentary law, such as their basic organization, frequency of meetings, procedures, speaking times, leadership, and parliamentary instruments; significantly, there are very different requirements concerning the number of seats . Consequently, parliaments are characterized by great heterogeneity .