Glarner Landsgemeinde

In front of an impressive natural backdrop, the traditional Landsgemeinde gathers in the open air every first Sunday in May on the Zaunplatz in Glarus.

It attracts not only thousands of voters, but also a number of onlookers, tourists and television teams from Switzerland and abroad. And last but not least, many homesick former Glarus residents.

The Landsgemeinde is the assembly of the inhabitants of the canton entitled to vote and the highest body of the canton. It still holds a few elections: the Landammann and the Landesstatthalter from among the government councillors elected at the ballot box, the judges and the public prosecutor. Above all, however, it is responsible for constitutional and legislative matters, for setting the tax rate and making important decisions on the merits.

Voting is done by holding up the voting card. The majority is determined by the Landammann by estimation. In doubtful cases, it consults four members of the Government Council in an advisory capacity and then makes a final and incontestable decision.