Election analysis Bern: Red-Green triumph slap in the face for citizens – News

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An analysis by Thomas Pressmann

25.11.2024, 01:11

The 2024 Bern city elections: A red-green showdown. When the left-wing camp won four of the five seats in the Bern city government eight years ago, many spoke of a chance victory. In fact, the bourgeois camp was divided at the time. Even four years ago, the center parties and the bourgeoisie did not run as a unit – the red-green party was able to hold on to its seats. This year the signs were different.

The bourgeois were able to form a broad alliance with the center. SVP, FDP, EVP, GLP and the center stood united against red-green with the green parties Green Alliance and GFL as well as the SP. The goal of this alliance of convenience was to get two out of five local council seats. This plan didn’t work. And this despite the fact that three previous local council members no longer stood.

A slap in the face for the commoners

The election result is a great triumph for the green parties and the SP. And a resounding slap in the face for the commoners. Again it wasn’t enough. That’s surprising. Many observers agreed that the alliance should have worked.

The election result is close. And yet: It shows that Bern is very left-wing. And red-green has apparently done a lot of things right recently. The RGM alliance will achieve the best result in its history in 2024. The politics that the alliance has been pursuing for over 30 years is very well received by voters. The measures to calm traffic are desired, the fight against poverty is a great need. And the electorate apparently forgives the fact that finances have recently gotten out of hand.

And the red-green coalition also conducted the election campaign well. In any case, they were apparently able to mobilize well. The national vote on highway expansion may also have contributed to this.

The commoners have to have the books. And accept that they have a hard time in Bern. Very difficult.

Second ballot for the city council

The second round of voting is scheduled for January 12th. It may not even happen. Because: It is not yet clear whether Melanie Mettler and Alec von Graffenried will run again – or leave the office directly to Marieke Kruit.

Either way: whether at the city council or elsewhere – the left sets the tone in Bern. Even more obvious after these elections than before.