Politics · Switzerland · 2 days ago
Fribourg passes law allowing some towns to adopt two official languages
Fribourg’s cantonal parliament in Switzerland has approved a law on official languages and the promotion of bilingualism.
It passed by 79 votes to 19, with five abstentions.
Under the law, towns on the French-German language border can adopt both languages if at least 10% of residents have spoken the second language for 25 years.
About a dozen towns could qualify, but each must hold a public vote before making the change.
Courgevaux and Courtepin are exempt because they have had two official languages for decades.
The law provides a total of 6.6 million francs in startup support, but some town leaders say the money will not cover ongoing costs such as translation and extra staff.
A referendum can still be called against the law.
Fribourg’s cantonal parliament passed a law allowing eligible municipalities to adopt French and German as official languages.
The law passed by 79 votes to 19, with five abstentions.
A municipality must lie on the language border and have at least 10% of residents speaking the second language for 25 years.
Around 10 to 12 municipalities could potentially qualify, but each must hold a public vote before adopting two official languages.
Some municipal leaders have warned that the funding will not cover the long-term costs.
- Who
- Fribourg’s cantonal parliament passed the law. Eligible municipalities may adopt French and German as official languages.
- What
- The law sets criteria and financial support for municipalities seeking two official languages.
- When
- It was passed on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
- Where
- The canton of Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Why
- The law allows eligible municipalities along the language border to recognize both French and German as official languages.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
That is not enough, because there are many other long-term costs that we will not be able to cover with this amount.
Additional staff will be needed to translate documents and handle everyday requests.
Fribourg’s cantonal parliament held several intensive debates on the law.
The parliament passed the law by 79 votes to 19, with five abstentions.
A referendum can still be launched against the law.
- Vote
- 79 in favour, 19 against, 5 abstentions
- Eligibility threshold
- At least 10% of residents speaking the second language for 25 years
- Potentially eligible municipalities
- Around 10 to 12
- Funding
- 6.6 million francs, including 150,000 francs per municipality and 75 francs per resident
- Cressier’s expected canton funding
- About 110,000 francs
Sources
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