Why a redistribution of seats on the Council of the Swiss Abroad is causing a stir

The seat distribution for the Council of the Swiss Abroad (the parliament of the Swiss Abroad) is reviewed with each new legislature. The 2025-2029 term is no exception – but this time, the changes are sparking discontent among representatives of countries which stand to lose a seat. With elections to the Council of the Swiss Abroad currently in full swing, a number of delegates are unhappy about the new distribution of seats. For some countries, because they have lost Swiss expats or Swiss clubs recognised by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), the new legislature means being incorporated into a wider geographical area. As a result, they will lose seats. This is the case for Monaco, whose seat is currently vacant, as well as Venezuela and Lebanon (which previously formed an electoral constituency with Syria). “It’s normal, those are the rules,” says Pierino Lardi. At nearly 80, the delegate for Venezuela on the Council of the Swiss Abroad is resigned. The same cannot be ...