The town sign on Bernstrasse on the border between Bern and Ostermundigen. (archive image)
Keystone
The Ostermundig Large Municipal Council (GGR) is behind the merger with Bern. In the final vote on Thursday evening, he approved the bill by 25 votes to 9 with 3 abstentions. Those entitled to vote in the two municipalities have the last word in the fall.
The result for the merger, which at first glance seemed clear, did not reflect the controversial proposal. The GGR came to the recommendation in a lengthy voting procedure.
In the vote to recommend to those entitled to vote, 20 members of Parliament wanted to recommend the merger, 15 opposed it and 2 abstained. In a second vote on whether or not the GGR should make a recommendation, 20 were in favor and 17 against. Only in the final vote was there a clear majority.
The majority of the SP, the Greens and the GLP spoke out in favor of the merger. On the other hand, the SVP, the FDP and the EVP were in the majority. For voice release was the middle.
co-determination or self-determination
The people of Ostermundigen would cope with everyday life in the Ostermundigen and Bern area, said Oliver Tamàs (GLP). It is important to him to be able to have a say in where he lives. Matthias Kuert (SP) also pointed out that the merger would give the population better services at lower taxes.
The exorbitant spending policy of the city of Bern prepares the FDP, said Rolf Rickenbach (FDP). His party opposed the merger. Too much would remain unclear for the SVP with the proposed merger agreement, said Ulrich Steiner (SVP). He pleaded for a partnership with the city of Bern so that Ostermundigen would not give up its independence.
Fusion turns community into district
With the merger, Ostermundigen is to become a district of Bern. The municipal code of the city of Bern would apply to the merged area. This will also be put to the vote. Ostermundigen would also adopt Bern’s lower tax rate.
At the political level, a merger does not give Ostermundigen a guaranteed seat on the municipal council. Likewise, no seats would be guaranteed in the city council of the former agglomeration municipality. This decision is justified by the fact that the party-political composition of the municipal council and city council should correspond as closely as possible to the will of the voters of the merged municipality.
One-off costs of around CHF 15.5 million are expected for the merger, as can be seen from the message from the municipal council to the GGR. A large part of this sum is spent in connection with the pension scheme for the around 340 previous employees of the municipality of Ostermundigen.
They would be integrated into the administration of the city of Bern with a merger. Since the Bern administration has a retirement age of 63, the new employees would receive a one-off contribution to their savings at the pension fund.
Referendum on October 22nd
The next and probably last step in the decision-making process is the referendum in both communities on October 22nd. If both say yes, the merger will take place at the beginning of 2025. If you say no on this date, the merger has already failed.
The municipal council of Ostermundigen speaks out neither for nor against a merger. Unlike the Bernese city and municipal councils, both would welcome a merger of Bern and Ostermundigen.
razw, now
2023-06-30 00:21:08
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