Jura asks the federal government for arbitration on the Jura question
Baume-Schneider faced a difficult decision
The Jura asks the Jura native Elisabeth Baume-Schneider for a neutral mediation, since they cannot agree on the money with the canton of Bern when splitting off from Moutier. The new Minister of Justice does not yet know whether she will arbitrate – or walk out.
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Ironically, the neo-Federal Councilor from the Jura Elisabeth Baume-Schneider should mediate in the Jura question.
Pascal TischhauserDeputy Head of Policy
The Justice Department (FDJP) is concerned with the question of neutrality – but this is not about Switzerland’s foreign policy role. Rather, the Jura asked the Minister of Justice to settle a dispute with Bern. The dispute is about the question of how much of the money that the large canton receives from the national financial equalization (NFA) will get with the canton change of the city of Moutier, as reported by Blick.
The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) has now confirmed that Delémont included the Department of Justice in the negotiations by letter: “I can confirm that a letter to this effect was received on December 6, 2022,” said spokeswoman Ingrid Ryser, who commented on the content of the Briefs but does not want to express in more detail.
Please agree!
As Blick knows, the then Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (59) asked the two cantons shortly before Christmas to find each other. It remains to be seen whether the appeal is sufficient for the Jura to accept Bern’s offer to give Moutier 24 million francs. According to reports, the Jurassians have so far insisted on 29 million.
The Jurassic Conflict
The canton of Jura was founded on January 1, 1979. The conflict between the French-speaking separatists and the canton of Bern, which flared up again after the Second World War, was finally supposed to end – but it is not over to this day.
The dispute goes back a long way: at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, areas of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel went to the Canton of Bern. Since then, many in the Bernese Jura regions have felt oppressed by the German-speaking majority in the canton.
In January 1993, the extent of the anger towards the people of Bern became apparent: a 21-year-old separatist wanted to plant a bomb in Bern’s city hall, but it went off too early on the edge of the old town. The young man died as a result. He was Bélier, a member of the militant Separatist youth organization.
As a result, the canton of Jura, Bern and the federal government entered into a dialogue to resolve the Jura conflict. But there are still efforts to bring communities in the Bernese Jura to the canton of Jura.
On March 28, 2021, a majority in Moutier voted in favor of changing the canton for the last time. “The legal question is solved!”, It was called afterwards.
But it’s not quite that simple: there is currently a debate as to when the change of canton should take place. And for money from the national financial equalization system. Sermin Faki
The canton of Jura was founded on January 1, 1979. The conflict between the French-speaking separatists and the canton of Bern, which flared up again after the Second World War, was finally supposed to end – but it is not over to this day.
The dispute goes back a long way: at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, areas of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel went to the Canton of Bern. Since then, many in the Bernese Jura regions have felt oppressed by the German-speaking majority in the canton.
In January 1993, the extent of the anger towards the people of Bern became apparent: a 21-year-old separatist wanted to plant a bomb in Bern’s city hall, but it went off too early on the edge of the old town. The young man died as a result. He was Bélier, a member of the militant Separatist youth organization.
As a result, the canton of Jura, Bern and the federal government entered into a dialogue to resolve the Jura conflict. But there are still efforts to bring communities in the Bernese Jura to the canton of Jura.
On March 28, 2021, a majority in Moutier voted in favor of changing the canton for the last time. “The legal question is solved!”, It was called afterwards.
But it’s not quite that simple: there is currently a debate as to when the change of canton should take place. And for money from the national financial equalization system. Sermin Faki
The negotiations are confidential, but a report has been leaked that states that Bern is actually not obliged to give up any of the NFA funds at all. Allegedly, the Bernese should therefore take the position that Delémont is either satisfied with 5 million francs less – or gets nothing at all. After all, the properties are sold at book value instead of at a significantly higher market value.
Jurassic Sea of Flags: Federal Councilor Baume-Schneider celebrates on the Bundesplatz(00:19)
Role of EBS is clarified
It is therefore quite possible that the Minister of Justice still has to intervene. Only: The EJPD head Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (59), who has been in office for a few days, comes from the Jura herself – and was a fervent pro-Jurasserin who, as a government councillor, campaigned for the change from the Bernese Jura to the canton of Jura. The question is whether she is suitable as a neutral mediator.
When asked whether EBS, as it is called, can be represented on the legal issue and, if so, by whom, the FOJ currently states: “The role of the Minister of Justice is currently being clarified.” But there is not much time left for this clarification. If Moutier’s change of canton is to take place at the beginning of 2026, as desired by the Jura, they must come to an agreement in the next few weeks.
It is urgent
Finally, in addition to the cantonal governments, the two cantonal parliaments and the respective populations as well as the federal parliament must give the green light to the transfer agreement, the so-called concordat. And if you can’t agree on money, the necessary majorities are hardly secured.
A convincing mediator from the state government could help. EBS has to make a decision. So Elisabeth Baume is not off the hook.
Key handover: This is where the new Federal Councilors move into their offices(01:20)