The "landsgemeinde": the cantonal assembly of Glarus, Switzerland; history, present and future

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present the "Glarus Landsgemeinde", paradigm of Swiss direct democracy, by making an assessment of its history, current situation, and perspectives and challenges for the future.

Glarus, up in the mountains of eastern Switzerland, is a canton that makes its laws by the Landsgemeinde, the cantonal assembly. Its 25000 voters employ the usual ballot method for choosing the canton's 7-member government and 80-member parliament (and for doing their bit in federal referendums), but when it comes to cantonal issues they gather on the first Sunday in May to do the canton's law-making, elect their judges, set their income tax and decide about any cantonal spending over Sfr. 1 Million (US$ 800'000) in the traditional get-together in the city "Fence-square".

Every first Sunday in May about 8000 citizens turn out - almost exactly the same number as the voters in the direct democracy of ancient Athens, but in Glarus a third of them are women - and, having sworn the formal oath to act in accordance with the law and the common interest, they settle down to a 20-item agenda.

The assembly lasts for about 4 hours, and most people stay on their feet, for there are few benches in the oval. The Landamann, the president of the cantonal government, opens the assembly with a speech. The assembly deliberates on the basis of the Memorial containing the list of issues to be dealt with, a description of each subject, the position of the government on each proposal and a recommendation from parliament. Attached to the Memorial are the cantonal accounts of the previous year and the cantonal budget for the following year.

The voters have the right, with respect to each subject, to ask for the floor in the meeting, to propose an amendment, to postpone a decision, to ask that a proposal return to parliament for revision, and finally to approve or reject a proposal.

The vote is done by raising hands and the president of the cantonal government estimates the majority at sight. This procedure, which has been preserved from the XIV century, works well enough, since generally the majority can be easily appreciated. However, there are currently proposals to modernise the voting mechanism.

The Landsgemeinde enjoys a good reputation by the people of Glarus. But the Landammann remains the most important person at the Landsgemeinde; if he will lead the Landsgemeinde as prudently and competently as to our days, there is a good chance that the Landsgemeinde plays its role as the canton's supreme executive body in the future too. But we have to be aware, that the Landsgemeinde is only a model for smaller units like the Canton of Glarus. For the next future, there are no ideas or motions to abolish this ancient system of direct democracy.