New start for the Council of the Swiss Abroad

The first SwissCommunity Days mark the start of a new legislature for the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA), strengthened by elections that are more democratic than ever. Electronic voting is at the heart of the demands. On Friday, some 150 Swiss Abroad from the four corners of the globe converged on the Federal Palace in Bern. They are taking part in the very first SwissCommunity Days, organised by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA). The event also marks the inaugural session of the new legislature of the Council of the Swiss Abroad – the first since the large-scale direct elections to the “parliament of the Swiss Abroad”. With this election, the Council has largely made up for its chronic democratic deficit, thereby strengthening its legitimacy on the national stage. The elected candidates – whether nominated by direct vote or under the old delegation system – will be officially confirmed at Saturday’s constituent meeting. More than half of the 140 seats were renewed ...