This system, highly valued for its perceived accountability, unfortunately, has inherent weaknesses. For example, the official responsible for approving a bar license or conducting fire-safety checks often has personal ties to the bar owner.
The New Year's Eve fire shocked the nation when it claimed the lives of 40 young individuals and left 116 injured, prompting widespread questions about the cause. The outrage grew when Crans-Montana's Mayor, Nicolas Feraud, revealed that Le Constellation bar had not been inspected since 2019, despite regulations requiring annual checks.
Mayor Feraud admitted to being unaware of the lack of inspections until after the tragic incident, highlighting severe gaps in local governance performance. While he suggested that the community lacked sufficient resources to conduct regular inspections, many Swiss citizens are yearning for accountability, especially from politicians overseeing their safety.
The mayor faced pointed questions from journalists, with residents concerned about possible corruption and favoritism due to personal relationships. In response to demands for accountability, the mayor firmly denied any corruption but did not provide satisfactory explanations for the neglect of fire safety protocols.
As families mourn their losses, there’s a palpable sense of betrayal over the failure of local officials to ensure safety standards. Calls for reform are growing louder, with suggestions that fire inspections should be centralized at a higher cantonal level rather than left to individual municipalities.
Legal action is also being considered by grieving families, indicating a movement toward holding not just the bar owner accountable but also those in local government. The tragedy is spurring significant introspection across Switzerland concerning the effectiveness and efficiency of its devolved governmental system.
The aftermath of the fire has cast doubt on the reliability of the Swiss political system, which many had long viewed as exemplary. As the debate over safety regulations continues, the dire need for structural changes becomes increasingly evident.
