Politics · Switzerland · 9 hrs ago
Oberried faces loss of its council as no candidates come forward
Oberried am Brienzersee has no candidates for its council or presidency, leaving the Swiss village facing a leadership crisis.
The village has about 480 residents and is in the canton of Bern.
Too few people stood for election in 2025, so the council could no longer make decisions and the canton appointed a temporary administrator.
The remaining elected council members have resigned effective December 31, 2026, and the administrator’s assignment is expected to end that day.
Replacement elections are planned for December 9, but no candidates have come forward for the presidency or four council seats.
Without enough elected council members, the canton will have to appoint another temporary administration, while Oberried also considers a possible merger with nearby Brienz.
The village clerk’s job remains vacant, and its second administrative assistant is also leaving at year-end.
Oberried am Brienzersee has no candidates for its mayor and four council seats ahead of replacement elections scheduled for December 9, 2026.
The municipality’s two remaining elected executive members, Siegfried Aulbach and Peter Coatti, have resigned effective December 31, 2026.
A special administrator appointed by the cantonal government is urging eligible residents to stand for office.
The municipal secretary’s post has been vacant since June 1, and a second administrative employee is also leaving at the end of 2026.
If the assembly cannot elect enough council members, the canton will have to appoint a special administration again.
- Who
- Oberried am Brienzersee and its residents; special administrator André Chevrolet is calling for candidates.
- What
- The municipality has no candidates for its mayor and four council seats, while its remaining elected executive members have resigned.
- When
- Replacement elections are scheduled for December 9, 2026. The resignations take effect December 31, 2026.
- Where
- Oberried am Brienzersee, Switzerland.
- Why
- Too few people have come forward to serve on the council, leaving it at risk of being unable to make decisions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Too few people stood for election to the council, leaving only Siegfried Aulbach and Peter Coatti in the executive.
The cantonal government’s special administration for Oberried began, with André Chevrolet appointed to lead it.
The municipal secretary’s post became vacant.
Replacement elections for the mayor and four council seats are scheduled for the municipal assembly.
Aulbach and Coatti are due to resign, and Chevrolet’s term as special administrator is expected to end.
- Population
- 480 residents
- Council seats
- Four
- Candidates reported
- None for mayor or the four council seats
- Resigning executive members
- Siegfried Aulbach and Peter Coatti
- Municipal secretary vacancy
- Since June 1, 2026
- Replacement election
- December 9, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
The situation has changed drastically again.
I call on eligible voters to make themselves available for these worthy and interesting offices.
Candidates must be aware that the task involves a considerable time commitment and great responsibility.