In the wake of the devastating fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, many Swiss citizens are asking themselves whether their political system is fit for purpose. Switzerland, often praised for its efficiency, has a very devolved system of government, in which villages and towns are run by local officials elected from and by the community.
This is a system the Swiss cherish because it ensures accountability, but it comes with inherent weaknesses: hypothetically, the official approving a bar license or passing a fire-safety check is the friend, neighbor, or even cousin of the bar owner.
The fire, which broke out on New Year's Eve, took 40 young lives and left 116 injured. As it became clear that the bar had not been inspected since 2019, anger and disbelief mounted. Local mayor Nicolas Feraud admitted to the media that out of 128 establishments, only 40 had been inspected in 2025.
Facing intense scrutiny from residents and press alike, Feraud denied any possibility of corruption but implied that the municipality was understaffed for such critical inspections. He has staunchly refused to resign, despite public outrage demanding accountability.
The cries for justice are echoed by families of the victims, who are pressing for a thorough investigation into the failure of local governance. Many Swiss feel that their trusted system has suffered a catastrophic failure, leading to calls for significant reforms in fire-safety oversight.
This tragedy has struck at the heart of Switzerland’s reputation for safety and reliability, and the implications of failing to hold the involved parties accountable could resonate beyond the immediate community.
