National Council constituencies in the canton of Friborg (1848)
In the first Swiss National Council elections in 1848 , the distribution of the constituencies differed significantly from that in all subsequent elections. The liberally dominated State Council divided the canton into five constituencies, each with one seat. He took various measures to keep the influence of the Catholic-Conservative opposition as low as possible.
execution
Shortly after the Swiss Federal Constitution was adopted , there were no functioning federal authorities and therefore no uniform electoral law. The agenda, which was soon to be dissolved, left the organization of the elections in the National Council to the individual cantons. After the Sonderbund War of November 1847, the canton of Friborg was still occupied by federal troops and ruled by the radical liberals . On October 4, 1848, the State Council passed a resolution to hold the elections and laid down various measures to minimize the influence of the former conservative rulers and the Catholic clergy.
Citizens only had two days to be entered in the electoral register. Before registering, they were obliged to take an oath both on the federal constitution and on the liberal, anti-clerical cantonal constitution of Freiburg . This measure prevented many Catholic Conservatives from voting, as did the election date on the morning of a normal working day. There was also a geographical restriction: only one public election meeting took place in each of the five constituencies; there were no other options for voting. It was only possible to vote in Bulle , Domdidier , Freiburg , Romont and Tafers . The election meetings took place at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 1848. In the fourth constituency they had to be postponed by a week because of the grape harvest.
Classification
The canton was divided into five constituencies as follows:
- I. constituency
- the Gruyère district excluding the communes of Maules , Romanens , Rueyres-Treyfayes and Sâles
- in the Vivisbach district the municipalities of Attalens , Bossonnens , Châtel-Saint-Denis , Granges , Grattavache , La Rougève , Progens , Remaufens and Semsales
The only place to vote was Bulle .
- II. Constituency
- in the Saane district, the municipalities of Autafond , Avry-sur-Matran , Belfaux , Chésopelloz , Cormagens , Corminboeuf , Corpataux , Cutterwil , Ecuvillens , Estavayer-le-Gibloux , Farvagny-le-Grand , Farvagny-le-Petit , Formangueires , Freiburg , Givisiez , Granges-Paccot , Grenilles , Grolley , Illens , La Corbaz , Lossy , Magnedens , Matran , Neyruz , Posat , Posieux , Rossens , Rueyres-Saint-Laurent and Villars-sur-Glâne
- in the lake district the parishes of Corsalettes , Courtion and Misery
The only place to vote was Freiburg.
- III. Constituency
- the sense district
- in the Saane district the municipalities of Arconciel , Bonnefontaine , Chésalles , Ependes , Essert , Ferpicloz , Marly-le-Grand , Marly-le-Petit , Montécu , Montévraz , Oberried , Pierrafortscha , Praroman , Sales , Senèdes , Treyvaux , Villarsel-sur-Marly and Zénauva
- in the lake district the communities Barberêche , Cordast , Courtaman , Courtepin , Grossgurmels , Grossguschelmuth , Kleinbösingen , Kleingurmels , Kleinguschelmuth , Liebistorf and Monterschu
The only place to vote was Tafers .
- IV. Constituency
- in the lake district the municipalities Agriswil , Altavilla , Bas-Vully , Büchslen , Burg , Chandossel , Cormérod , Courgevaux , Courlevon , Cournillens , Coussiberlé , Cressier , Fräschels , Galmiz , Gempenach , Greng , Haut-Vully , Jeuss , Kerzers , Lurtigen , Meyriez , Muntelier , Murten , Ried bei Kerzers , Salvenach , Ulmiz , Villarepos , Wallenbuch and Wallenried
- the Broye district , excluding the parishes of Chapelle , Cheiry , Praratoud , Prévondavaux , Surpierre , Villeneuve and Vuissens
The only place of choice was Domdidier .
- V. constituency
- the Glanebezirk
- in the Vivisbach district the municipalities of Besencens , Bouloz , Fiaugères , Le Crêt , Pont , Porsel and Saint-Martin
- in the Saane district the municipalities of Villarlod , Villarsel-le-Gibloux and Vuisternens-en-Ogoz
- in the Gruyère district the municipalities of Maules, Romanens, Rueyres-Treyfayes and Sâles
- in the Saane district the municipalities of Autigny , Chénens , Corserey , Corjolens , Cottens , Lentigny , Lovens , Nierlet-les-Bois , Noréaz , Onnens , Ponthaux and Prez-vers-Noréaz
- in the Broye district the municipalities of Chapelle, Cheiry, Praratoud, Prévondavaux, Surpierre, Villeneuve and Vuissens
The only place to vote was Romont .
Result
The State Council achieved its goal, only candidates who were convenient for it were elected. However, due to the measures taken, the results were largely not representative. The turnout in the I. and III. Constituency only 3.2 and 5.8%. It was highest in the partially reformed fourth constituency with 32.6%. In the fifth constituency, the election of the conservative candidate Hubert Charles was canceled because of alleged irregularities, in the repeat on October 31, a moderate liberal prevailed.
swell
- Erich Gruner : The elections to the Swiss National Council 1848-1919 . tape 3 . Francke Verlag, Bern 1978, ISBN 3-7720-1445-3 .
- Execution decision of the 4th wine month 1848, regarding the decree of the 23rd autumn month 1848, regarding the election of the members of the national council . In: Collection of laws, decrees, resolutions and other public negotiations of the government of the Canton of Friborg . tape 23 . Freiburg 1981, p. 500-507 . , Friborg Cantonal and University Library (old holdings, call number SOC LECT C76 BA / 23)