On 4 November 2010, the Federal Commission for Immigration Issues published policy recommendations under the title: ‘”Citoyenneté” – Redefinir la participation, “Citoyenneté” – Partizipation neu denken (“Citizenship” – Redefining Participation). The Commission makes three main recommendations:

(1) Kantons should introduce voting rights for foreign nationals who either possess a long-term residence permit or have been resident in Switzerland for at least eight years. Where there is no majority support for such voting rights, Kantons should allow municipalities to introduce voting rights at the local level. Where Kantonal constitutions already permit a local franchise for foreign nationals, this should be granted to foreigners with at least five years residence in Switzerland.

(2) Kantons and municipalities should adequately represent foreign residents in all commissions and institutions and promote their political participation as an element of social integration.
(3) Federal Law should provide for facilitated procedures for all naturalisations. Kantons and municipalities should refrain from adding their own residence requirements as a condition for naturalisation applications. Second generations of immigrant origin should enjoy facilitated naturalisation and third generations should be granted Swiss citizenship at birth.

Click here for the full text of the Commission’s recommendations in German and French.