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Neuchâtel Considers Constitutional Place for Seniors
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Elections & Politics

Neuchâtel Considers Constitutional Place for Seniors

From Le Temps · (8m ago) French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is considering a constitutional amendment to ensure the participation, autonomy, quality of life, and respect for seniors.
  • The proposal, initiated by the Green and Socialist parties, will be put to a public vote on June 14, despite opposition from the State Council.
  • While the goal of recognizing seniors is widely shared, some parties, like the UDC and Liberal Greens, expressed concerns about the constitutional wording and potential fragmentation.

In Neuchâtel, the aging of our population is not just a demographic trend; it's a call to action that has reached the highest level of our legal framework. The upcoming vote on June 14 presents a unique opportunity for citizens to enshrine the rights and dignity of our seniors directly into the Constitution.

L’Etat et les communes veillent à favoriser la participation, l’autonomie, la qualité de vie et le respect de la personnalité des aînés et des aînées.

— Proposed Constitutional ArticleThis is the core text of the proposed amendment that citizens will vote on, outlining the state's and communes' responsibilities towards seniors.

This initiative, championed by the VertPOP and Socialist parties, seeks to ensure that the State and communes actively foster the participation, autonomy, quality of life, and respect for our elders. It's a recognition that as our society ages faster than many others in Switzerland, we must proactively safeguard the well-being and integration of our senior citizens.

Nous comprenons les intentions et les préoccupations d’une meilleure reconnaissance des aînés, […] mais la Constitution n’est pas le bon lieu.

— Crystel GrafThe President of the State Council expressed reservations about placing the provision in the Constitution, indicating a difference in opinion on the appropriate legal venue.

While the objective is broadly supported, the debate in the Grand Council highlighted differing views on the best approach. The State Council, through its president Crystel Graf, argued that the Constitution might not be the most suitable place for such a provision, questioning the precision of terms like 'aîné' (senior). Similarly, the UDC and some Liberal Greens voiced concerns that adding specific categories to the fundamental text could undermine its unity and neutrality. However, these are largely procedural debates; the core sentiment of valuing our seniors remains a shared value across the political spectrum.

L’interprétation de la disposition sera d’autant plus difficile.

— Crystel GrafGraf also criticized the vagueness of the term 'aîné' (senior), suggesting it would complicate the interpretation and implementation of the constitutional article.

This is more than just a legal adjustment; it's a reflection of our societal values. Unlike in some international contexts where aging populations might be viewed primarily as an economic burden, here in Neuchâtel, we see it as an opportunity to strengthen our social fabric and ensure that those who have contributed to our society are treated with the utmost respect and dignity throughout their lives. The decision on June 14 will signal our commitment to this principle.

Cette proposition risque de multiplier les catégories identitaires dans un texte fondamental, ce qui pourrait fragiliser son unité et sa neutralité.

— Frédéric SchlosserAn UDC representative voiced concerns about the potential for identity politics to weaken the fundamental text of the Constitution.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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