Landsgemeinde of Appenzell
- At April 03, 2015
- By swilli
- In News @en
0
‘Landsgemeinde’ 26. April 2015
The Landsgemeinde or “cantonal assembly” is one of the oldest forms of direct democracy. Formerly practiced in eight cantons of Switzerland, for practical reasons, the Landsgemeinde has been abolished in all but two cantons, where it is still the highest political institution of the canton, in Appenzell Innerrhoden and in Glarus.
The German term Landsgemeinde itself is attested from at least the 16th century, in the 1561 dictionary of Pictorius. It is a compound from Land “land, canton; rural canton” and Gemeinde “community, commune”.
Eligible citizens of the canton meet on a certain day in the open air to decide on laws and expenditures by the council. Everyone can debate a question. Voting is accomplished by those in favour of a motion raising their hands. Historically, or in Appenzell until the admission of women, the only proof of citizenship necessary for men to enter the voting area was to show their ceremonial sword or Swiss military sidearm (bayonet), this gave proof that you were a freeman allowed to bear arms and to vote.
Read more about Landsgemeinde Appenzell (german)…
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