Grand Council of Geneva

Grand Council of Geneva
Name	Grand Council of Geneva
House type	Unicameral
Body	Canton of Geneva
Leader1 type	President
Leader1	Salika Wenger
Election1	2024
Members	100
Political groups1	Government (80), PS (19), The Centre (15), Green (14), PLR (13), PVL (11), EàG (8), Opposition (20), UDC (20)
Last election1	2 April 2023
Meeting place	Hôtel de Ville, Geneva
Website	https://ge.ch/grandconseil/

Contents

History
Composition and election
Powers and functions
Political groups
Presidents of the Grand Council
See also

Grand Council of Geneva. The Grand Council of Geneva is the legislative authority of the Canton of Geneva, one of the twenty-six cantons of the Swiss Confederation. It convenes in the historic Hôtel de Ville in the Old City and is composed of 100 members elected by the canton's populace. The council enacts cantonal laws, approves the annual budget, and oversees the activities of the Council of State, the canton's executive body.

History

The origins of the Grand Council trace back to the political structures of the Republic of Geneva, an independent Calvinist republic prior to its annexation by France in 1798. Following the Congress of Vienna and Geneva's entry into the Swiss Confederation in 1815, the Regeneration movement led to the adoption of a new cantonal constitution in 1847, which formally established a modern representative legislature. Key historical events influencing its development include the General Strike of 1932 and the integration of new municipalities following the dissolution of the free zones. The council's role was further solidified through constitutional revisions, notably in the latter half of the 20th century.

Composition and election

The Grand Council consists of 100 deputies elected for a four-year term through a system of proportional representation within a single canton-wide constituency. Elections follow the rules of the Hagenbach-Bischoff system, a method for allocating seats. All Swiss citizens over the age of 18 who are residents of the Canton of Geneva possess the right to vote and stand for election. The most recent election was held on 2 April 2023, which saw shifts in representation for parties like the Social Democratic Party and the Swiss People's Party.

Powers and functions

As the supreme legislative power of the canton, the Grand Council's primary functions include enacting cantonal laws, approving the state budget, and ratifying international treaties that fall under cantonal jurisdiction. It exercises oversight over the executive Council of State, can launch parliamentary inquiries, and must approve major appointments to bodies like the Court of Justice of Geneva. The council also has the authority to initiate revisions to the Constitution of the Canton of Geneva and call cantonal referendums. Its legislative acts are subject to optional and mandatory referendums as per Swiss direct democracy principles.

Political groups

Political groups, known as parliamentary groups, are formed by deputies from the same or allied political parties. Following the 2023 Geneva cantonal election, the composition features a clear left-centre majority. The main groups are the Social Democratic Party (PS), The Centre (Le Centre), the Green Party, the Liberal-Radical Party (PLR), the Green Liberal Party (PVL), the left-wing alliance Ensemble à Gauche (EàG), and the Swiss People's Party (UDC) as the sole opposition group. These groups coordinate voting strategies and committee work.

Presidents of the Grand Council

The President of the Grand Council is elected annually from among its members and presides over debates, represents the legislature in official ceremonies, and ensures the proper functioning of parliamentary business. The presidency rotates among the major political groups. Notable past presidents include figures like Guy-Olivier Segond and Isabelle Terrier. The president for the 2024-2025 term is Salika Wenger of the Green Party.