Federal Court decision Invalid election: Mayor of Grenchen is removed from office with immediate effect

In a surprising legal decision, the Swiss Federal Court has annulled the election of Susanne Sahli as mayor of Grenchen, a municipality in the canton of Solothurn. The ruling came after serious procedural errors were identified during the vote counting process. Sahli had won the second-round election on September 28, 2025, defeating her opponent Patrick Crausaz of the GLP party by just 25 votes. This narrow margin triggered further scrutiny of the electoral procedures, which ultimately led to the court's intervention.

The Federal Court found "serious procedural flaws" in how the election was conducted. These included the improper handling of ballot envelopes, which were retrieved from the mailboxes too late and stored in boxes rather than in an urn within a secured room. According to the court’s published decision, these irregularities could have significantly influenced the outcome of the election. As such, the court concluded that the accuracy of the results could not be trusted, undermining public confidence in the democratic process.

This decision contrasts sharply with the earlier ruling by the Solothurn Administrative Court, which had dismissed the complaint against the election. That court acknowledged some irregularities but deemed them insufficient to invalidate the election. It described the allegations as speculative and based on hearsay. However, the Federal Court took a more stringent approach, emphasizing that the integrity of the election result must be upheld.

The challenge against the election was initiated by Elias Vogt, a political activist known for his opposition to wind farms in Switzerland. Vogt expressed relief at the Federal Court's decision, stating that democracy had prevailed and that elections must be conducted correctly. He criticized the Solothurn Administrative Court for not thoroughly examining the issues raised in the complaint.

Susanne Sahli, who had taken office at the beginning of this year following her election, will lose her position immediately. The city of Grenchen announced that Patrick Crausaz, the elected vice-mayor, would assume the responsibilities of the mayor until new elections can be held. Sahli expressed regret over the court's decision but respected it, acknowledging its importance for the city and its employees.

Despite the annulment, the actions taken by Sahli while in office remain valid due to the principle of legal certainty. This ensures continuity in governance even though the legitimacy of her election has been called into question. The exact timing for scheduling new elections remains uncertain, pending further deliberations and planning by local authorities.

The situation highlights the critical role of judicial oversight in maintaining the credibility of democratic processes. The Federal Court's decision underscores the necessity of strict adherence to electoral procedures, particularly when the margins between candidates are extremely close. Such cases require meticulous attention to detail to prevent any potential manipulation or error that might affect the final outcome.

As the city of Grenchen prepares for another round of elections, the focus will likely shift towards ensuring transparency and compliance with all legal requirements. This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in conducting fair and trustworthy elections, especially in small communities where the impact of each vote can be significant. The coming months will be crucial in restoring public trust and reinforcing the principles of direct democracy in the region.