Grand Council of Bern

The Grand Council ( fr. Grand Conseil ) is the parliament of the Canton of Berne and thus its legislative authority. It meets annually to five sessions in the Bernese town hall, which usually last for ten days. The 160 members of the Council " are elected every four years by the voters at the ballot box " (last time on March 28, 2010). The Grand Council is elected ( proportional representation ) by proportional representation. The next elections are scheduled for March 30, 2014.

Tasks

The Grand Council shall adopt laws and decrees and approves international treaties and inter-cantonal treaties, insofar as these do not fall within the competence of the Government Council.

He selects the Grand Council President, the provincial government, the state Schreiber, the president of the Higher Court and Administrative Court and other court members, provided they are not subject to popular election.

The Grand Council is the supreme supervisory authority of the Government, courts and administration. He also decides on matters that are subject to the referendum, decide on conflicts of jurisdiction between the highest cantonal authorities and decides amnesties and pardons.

Unlike other cantons are in the Canton of Berne no mandatory financial referendum spending a certain amount. The Grand Council may therefore decide freely. Rather, it is that in the Canton of Bern, the decision making about new issues unique way up to the amount of 1 million francs and new recurring expenditure up to CHF 200,000 in the hands of the Government Council located (Article 89 of the cantonal constitution ).

In contrast, Article 62 grants a an optional financial referendum, but which can be taken only from one-time expenditure of over two million francs or recurrent expenditure on CHF 400'000. A referendum is valid in the canton of Bern as valid when it has received the written consent of 10,000 voters within three months has taken place.

According to Article 57 of the cantonal constitution 30,000 eligible to vote may at any time require an early election of the Grand Council. About such a reference is to be coordinated within 3 months. If the submission is accepted, shall be conducted new elections immediately.

Eligibility

Members of the Large Council may not simultaneously be members of the Governing Council, cantonal judicial authorities or persons with the centralized or decentralized cantonal administration.

Constituencies

According to the cantonal constitution happens the distribution of seats according to population numbers. Is especially true for the Bernese Jura, that he is entitled to at least 12 seats. Next it is said that the French-speaking minority in the constituency Biel- Seeland adequate representation must be ensured.

Is regulated Specifically, the constituency division in the Law on Political Rights.

The canton was divided until the election district reform in 2010 in eight electoral districts; the reform, the number of constituencies increased to 9 and there was a partial clean slate of the borders (Article 24b ); is further defined the minimum number of 12 representatives for the constituency Bernese Jura and the guaranteed claim the French-speaking population in the electoral district of Biel -Seeland according to their percentage share of the population (Article 24c). The exact number of seats per constituency will be published and retained by Government decision. (Article 24d). The last time this happened on May 15, 2013 based on the population figures from December 31, 2011. (In brackets are the numbers of the last definition of 2009)

As of January 25, 2014

2013

Josef Jenni was retired from the Grand Council of 7 February 2012, its mandate took Martin Aeschlimann.

As of March 29, 2012 Hans -Ulrich Trachsel resigned from his office, his successor was Jacob Black.

Pierre André Geiser was announced on June 15, 2012 his resignation. He was succeeded by Anne -Caroline Graber.

Also announced his retirement gave Martin Friedli. His successor was Mr. Tanner. Both were sworn in on September 3, 2012.

Flavia water traps submitted her resignation in October 2012. Her successor, Giovanna Battagliero, was sworn in on 19 November 2012.

Also in October 2012 and resigned Kathy Haenni -Lehmann from office. As the successor Urs Muntwyler was sworn in on 19 November 2012.

In the January session (21 January 2013) was Hasim Sancar sworn in as successor to Corinne Schärer.

In the March session (18 March 2013) Reto Müller was sworn in as successor by Nadine Masshardt and Markus Wenger as the successor of St. Mark's Great.

In the June session, two new members were sworn in on June 3, 2013: Ursula Marti moved according to Margrit Stucki- Mäder and Etienne Klopfenstein replaced Jean -Michel Blanchard.

In the September Session ( September 2, 2013) Nine new members were sworn.

In the November 2013 Session Alexandra Perina - Werz was sworn in as successor to Daniel Kast.

Biel/Bienne (administrative district) Seeland (administrative district) Oberaargau#Administrative district Emmental (administrative district) Bern-Mittelland (administrative district) Thun (administrative district) Evangelical People's Party of Switzerland Burgdorf, Switzerland Meiringen Spiez Gerzensee Nidau Zollikofen Langenthal Aeschi bei Spiez Malleray Aarberg Steffisburg Wohlen bei Bern Wahlern Saint-Imier Vechigen Biel/Bienne Treiten Oberhofen am Thunersee Ittigen Jens, Switzerland La Neuveville Obersteckholz Ochlenberg Moutier Zwieselberg Stettlen Krattigen Matten bei Interlaken Roggwil, Bern Belp Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland Zweisimmen Schangnau Iffwil Kandersteg Lyss Corinne Schmidhauser Bremgarten bei Bern Thierachern Wileroltigen Adelboden Epsach Utzenstorf Villeret, Switzerland Wanzwil Grand Council of Aargau Grand Council of Fribourg Cantonal Council of Obwalden Cantonal Council of Solothurn Landrat of Uri Grand Council of Valais

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