A new proposal in the Bern canton in Switzerland could enable Albanians and other foreign citizens to vote and be elected at the municipal level.

The Commission for State Policy and Foreign Relations of the Cantonal Parliament has supported the proposal, under which each municipality will decide for itself whether to grant that right to foreign residents.

To benefit, they must have residence permits C, have lived at least ten years in Switzerland, five years in the Bern Canton and three months in the respective municipality.

However, the proposal has not finally been adopted. Constitutional and legal changes are expected to be reviewed for the first time by the cantonal Parliament during the 2026 winter session, writes SwissinfoTelevision broadcast.

If approved, this initiative would provide foreigners with greater opportunities to influence local decisions, from schools and public transportation to taxes and municipal services.

This development is of particular importance to the Albanian community in Switzerland, where many families live for years, work, pay taxes and contribute to economic and social life, but still do not have Swiss citizenship.

The proposed right would only be valid at the municipal level and would not automatically include voting in cantonal or federal elections./Telegraphy/