Council of Europe: Who will represent the Swiss territories?
The names of the 12 members of the Swiss delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Strasbourg for the period 2021-2026 have already been ratified
On January 22, 2021, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis nominated the 12 members of the Swiss delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) for the period 2021-2026.
The nominations were proposed by the Conference of Cantonal Governments (CoC), the Union of Swiss Cities (UCS) and the Association of Swiss Municipalities (ACS).
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After formal validation by the Congressional Bureau on February 12, 2021, the new delegation can begin its work ahead of the renewal session, which will be held March 23-25.
A body created in 1994 for Cities, Municipalities and Regions
Created in its current form in 1994, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) is the body responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe.
As an advisory body, it acts as the voice of Europe’s regions and municipalities. It consists of two chambers: the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions.
A European Charter of Local Self-Government to be applied
The work of the Congress includes monitoring the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government (ratified by Switzerland on 17 February 2005), observing local and regional elections and various thematic activities.
The 324 full members of the CLRAE, plus an equal number of alternates, meet in sessions twice a year at the Council of Europe’s headquarters in Strasbourg.
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Switzerland is represented at the Congress by six members and six alternates: six cantonal representatives and six representatives of municipalities and cities.
In accordance with the official nomination procedure, the Conference of Cantonal Governments (CoC), the Union of Swiss Cities (UCS) and the Association of Swiss Municipalities (ACS) were entitled to nominate candidates for the new legislative period 2021-2026.
The Swiss delegation was then appointed by the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
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On February 12, 2021, the Congressional Office formally validated the composition of the new delegation.
The Swiss delegation for the period 2021-2026 is composed of the representatives listed below.
For the Cantons:
– David Eray, Minister, State Councillor of the Canton of Jura, Chair of the delegation (full member);
– Cornelia Komposch, State Councillor of the Canton of Thurgau (full member);
– Paul Winiker, State Councillor of the Canton of Lucerne (full member);
– Jacqueline Fehr, State Councillor of the Canton of Zurich (alternate member);
– Philippe Leuba, Member of the Cantonal Government of Vaud (deputy);
– Didier Castella, State Councillor of the Canton of Fribourg (alternate).
For the Municipalities and Cities:
– Franziska Stadelmann-Meyer, Mayor of the Municipality of Muttenz (Basel-Landschaft) (full member);
– Laurent Wehrli, Mayor of the Municipality of Montreux (Vaud) and National Councillor (full member);
– Beat Hirs, Mayor of the Municipality of Rorschacherberg (St. Gallen) (full member);
– Erich Fehr, Mayor of the City of Biel (Bern) (alternate member);
– Christine Chevalley, Mayor of the City of Veytaux (Vaud) (alternate member);
– Matthias Gysin, Councillor of the Municipality of Duggingen (Basel-Landschaft) (alternate).
