ZURICH, 2025-06-16 14:33:00
Anyone who gets a child is missing at work and in offices for several weeks.
Gaëtan Bally / Keystone
zurich Considers Deputies for Parliamentarians on Leave
Zurich is considering allowing temporary replacements for parliamentarians on leave due to pregnancy, accidents, or illness, a move that has sparked debate.
- Zurich’s cantonal parliament is considering allowing deputies to temporarily replace members on leave.
- The proposal stems from the experiences of other cantons, such as Aargau, and aims to address absences.
- The plan faces opposition from some parties concerned about the quality of representation.
- The proposal is limited to cases of pregnancy, accidents, and serious illness.
- A referendum will be required if the proposal passes in parliament.
The Zurich cantonal parliament is considering a significant change: allowing deputies to temporarily fill in for members who are absent, primarily for maternity leave, accidents, or serious illness. This proposal, if approved, would bring Zurich in line with other Swiss cantons that already have similar regulations. The project has sparked debate.
A Look at the Aargau Model
Zurich isn’t the first to explore this option. Cantons like Wallis and graubünden have had similar rules for a long time. Aargau introduced its version three years ago, and Zurich is using it as a model. The Aargau solution allows for deputies in cases of pregnancy, accidents, and serious illnesses. The replacement serves for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 12 months. The replacement will be filled by the next person on the election list.
Aargau’s rule has been in place for three years. how has it impacted their parliament’s functionality and representation? Are there any statistics available on its usage and perceived effectiveness?
The project isn’t without its critics. Some members of the Zurich cantonal council, like Corinne Hoss-Blatter (FDP, Zollikon), expressed concerns that the quality of representation might suffer.Roman Schmid (SVP, Opfikon) highlighted the importance of the personal connection voters have with their elected officials, stating, “We see the mandate and the person chosen as a unit.”
What specific concerns are raised about the quality of representation? How might temporary deputies differ from elected officials in their understanding of local issues and voter preferences?
On the other hand, Isabel Bartal (Eglisau) from the SP argued that politics should be accessible to everyone, even when life’s challenges arise.Sonja Gehrig (GLP, urdorf) pointed out that crucial votes could be missed during important decisions.
A key factor driving this shift is the significant number of absences in the Zurich cantonal parliament, where a single vote can sway the outcome.
Can you provide examples of key votes in the Zurich cantonal parliament that were decided by a narrow margin? How would the presence of temporary deputies have affected these outcomes?
Adjusting Rules for Mothers
Initially, parliamentarians faced the loss of income replacement if they attended even a brief council meeting during maternity leave. This restrictive rule was changed a year ago. A mother can now participate in parliamentary and commission meetings shortly after giving birth without financial penalties, provided she feels well enough.
However, there’s a catch: this is only allowed if there’s no representative regulation in place. If a representative regulation is in effect, the mother must stay home to avoid losing payments. Tina Deplazes (center, Hinwil) pointed out that efforts are being made at the national level to address the issue.
What specific efforts are being made at the national level to address the issue of parental leave for parliamentarians? How do these efforts align with or differ from the proposed changes in Zurich?
The Debate on Military Service
The SVP sought to expand the reasons for which a substitute could be put in place to include military and community service.However, they didn’t get support from the FDP. fabian Müller (Rüschlikon) said that members of parliaments were entitled to vacation to take part in the meetings.
Marc bourgeois (Zurich) said “Imagine that you are in earning your rank and four or five months at a time in the military.”
The majority decided to stick with the original three reasons: pregnancy,illness,and accidents. The introduction of the new Zurich subsequent rule is not yet finalized. It will first be discussed in parliament,then the constitution must be changed,which will trigger a referendum.
The Aargau accepted its absence rule three years ago with 64 percent yes votes.The canton of Schaffhausen,on the other hand,briefly sank the request last year.
What are the key arguments for and against the proposed rule change? What factors might influence the outcome of the referendum in Zurich, considering the contrasting results in Aargau and Schaffhausen?
The proposed changes in Zurich aim to address the practical realities of parliamentary service in the modern world. The canton is seeking solutions for parliamentarians on leave to ensure continuity and representation for Zurcher citizens.The central question is how to balance the needs of elected officials with the responsibilities of their roles, particularly when life events like starting a family or dealing with a serious illness arise. This debate also addresses the role of parliamentarians.
The Role of Parliamentarians and Their Deputies
The core function of a parliamentarian is to represent their constituents, participate in debates, and vote on legislation. When a parliamentarian is unable to fulfill these duties, a gap arises. The proposal for temporary deputies seeks to fill this gap, and it sparks an interesting discussion about who these deputies are. This raises questions about the quality of representation and the connection between voters and their representatives.
Deputies would step in to act in the absence of original members. their role would be to ensure that all voters have equal and effective representation. The responsibilities include attending parliamentary sessions, participating in committee meetings, and casting votes on behalf of the absent member’s constituency. This is a meaningful role, and a proper understanding of the issues is important. A lack of experience could come with perhaps huge implications.
However, the quality of representation is not the only concern. Some critics highlight the importance of the personal connection voters share with their elected officials. Deputies who may not have the same level of familiarity with local issues or voter preferences could face challenges in effectively representing the constituency’s interests. Nevertheless, every canton member is tasked to be the voice of his/her voters, no matter the circumstances.
what Happens If a Deputy is Not Available?
The legislation in Zurich would replace a missing member with a deputy. Specifically, the next person on the election list with the required qualifications would assume the role. This would hopefully give the missing member adequate room to fulfill their personal obligations. in case no deputies are available, the constituency would then be unrepresented, thereby the potential impact of significant votes on parliamentary discussions could be affected.
- The Aargau Model: In Aargau, the deputy serves for a minimum of three months and a maximum of twelve months.
- Limited Scope: The Zurich proposal restricts the use of deputies to cases of pregnancy, accidents, and serious illness.
- Referendum requirement: If the proposal passes in the parliament,a referendum will be set in place for public approval.
The initiative showcases the ongoing effort to adapt to a changing world. The goal is to construct a system where parliamentary duties can be accomplished, even when personal challenges arise. However,the specifics of how the deputy system should function and how it will impact the quality and the continuity of government remain controversial.What will be the final outcome?
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