Eastern Switzerland Canton of St. Gallen wants to better regulate crisis situations in municipalities

The St. Gallen government wants to be able to react more quickly to municipalities that no longer have a quorum. A new procedure is planned for the appointment of a replacement administration. The procedure is also to be regulated if, as during the Covid-19 pandemic, citizens' assemblies cannot be held.

The government is proposing various amendments to the Municipalities Act, which will now be submitted for consultation. One of the topics is the appointment of a substitute administration, which is necessary if a municipal council no longer has a quorum to decide on a matter.

According to the press release issued by the State Chancellery on Thursday, this has become increasingly common in recent years. It is always triggered when a majority of the members of a municipal council have to step aside due to conflicts of interest.

In practice, the council of another municipality is used as a substitute administration. As no municipality has been obliged to take on this task to date, the search has often taken a long time. The law is now to specify which council can be appointed as a substitute authority.

The other changes relate to citizens' meetings, for example. If they cannot be held, the government can issue regulations for decisions to be taken at the ballot box.

The principle of collegiality, which also applies to audit committees, has also been clarified. The members must represent the resolutions with one vote. In addition, the procedure for inadmissible popular motions is set out in the Municipalities Act. The consultation period lasts until September 30.