Emmanuel Revaz Proposes Changes to Valais Council of State Election Rules

Emmanuel Revaz, a Green Party member of the Valais Parliament, is advocating for changes to the cantonal constitution regarding the election of members to the Council of State. His proposals aim to address what he views as an outdated rule limiting each district to a single representative on the Council.

Background on the Current System

The current system, intended to ensure representation for smaller districts, stipulates that only one state councilor can be elected per district. Revaz argues this rule is now obsolete and hinders effective governance. Previous attempts to revise the constitution, including changes to both the district rule and the size of the Council of State (increasing it from 5 to 7 members), were rejected by voters in March 2024.

Revaz’s Proposed Changes

Revaz emphasizes that his current proposals are targeted and do not represent a reintroduction of the previously rejected constitutional package. He believes the Grand Council should have the opportunity to consider individual aspects of the constitution without being forced to accept an entire overhaul. He states he respects the outcome of the previous referendum and is presenting these proposals as a way to address specific issues incrementally.

Timing and Complementary Motions

The Grand Council is scheduled to discuss Revaz’s proposals on March 12, 2026, immediately following a motion submitted by his brother, Damien Revaz, a PLR (Liberal Party) deputy. Damien Revaz’s motion calls for a staged revision of the cantonal constitution, addressing it chapter by chapter. Emmanuel Revaz supports this approach, viewing the two motions as complementary.

Concerns About the Current Constitution

Emmanuel Revaz believes the existing Valais constitution is objectively outdated and requires modification. He advocates for a phased approach to revisions, allowing the cantonal legislature to carefully consider and implement changes.

Recent Election Results and Green Party Performance

Recent elections in Valais saw a shift in the political landscape. Although the Green Party experienced gains in the Grand Council, increasing their representation by five seats, they ultimately suffered losses in the Council of State election. The UDC (Swiss People’s Party) gained four seats, and Le Centre (The Centre party) gained two, at the expense of the Greens. The Greens lost two seats in the Sion district and one each in Brigue, Monthey, and Sierre, and no longer have representation in the Haut-Valais region following the non-reelection of Brigitte Wolf in 2021.

The UDC also gained representation in the districts of Martigny, Sion, Sierre, and Viège. Le Centre regained ground, adding a seat in Brigue, Monthey, and Sion, while losing one in Viège.

Source: Les Vert·e·s Valais, 24 Heures, Le Temps