In the wake of the devastating fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, many Swiss citizens are asking themselves if 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. It is a system the Swiss cherish, because they believe it ensures accountability.
However, there are inherent weaknesses: hypothetically, the official approving a bar license or passing a fire-safety check is the friend, neighbor, or maybe even cousin of the bar owner.
When the news of the fire emerged on New Year's Eve, first there was shock. Such devastating fires are not, people thought, supposed to happen in Switzerland. Then there was grief—40 young people lost their lives, 116 were injured, many of them very seriously. Questions followed—what caused such a catastrophe?
Crans-Montana's Mayor, Nicolas Feraud, revealed that Le Constellation bar had not been inspected since 2019. Fire-safety inspections are the responsibility of local officials. Not only had the checks not taken place, the mayor said, he had only become aware of this after the fire. Of 128 bars and restaurants in Crans-Montana, only 40 had been inspected in 2025.
Feraud faced pointed questions from journalists about the relationships between local officials and bar owners, and the potential for corruption. The mother of two brothers who survived the fire demanded transparency, emphasizing the urgent need for answers.
Elected officials in towns like Crans-Montana are managing multiple responsibilities beyond fire safety—running schools, social services, and even collecting taxes. This situation, coupled with dwindling resources in richer towns, has raised significant concern. The aftermath of the fire has seen headlines filled with demands for accountability, with some calling for Feraud and his colleagues to resign.
A deeper, nationwide soul-searching is happening as the Swiss question why their political system, viewed as nearly perfect, failed so catastrophically. Emergency services responded quickly, but the feeling of pride has now vanished as the focus shifts to the neglected aspects of safety checks.
As investigations unfold, the Swiss government has pledged a strict, independent inquiry to ensure accountability and restore public trust.
However, there are inherent weaknesses: hypothetically, the official approving a bar license or passing a fire-safety check is the friend, neighbor, or maybe even cousin of the bar owner.
When the news of the fire emerged on New Year's Eve, first there was shock. Such devastating fires are not, people thought, supposed to happen in Switzerland. Then there was grief—40 young people lost their lives, 116 were injured, many of them very seriously. Questions followed—what caused such a catastrophe?
Crans-Montana's Mayor, Nicolas Feraud, revealed that Le Constellation bar had not been inspected since 2019. Fire-safety inspections are the responsibility of local officials. Not only had the checks not taken place, the mayor said, he had only become aware of this after the fire. Of 128 bars and restaurants in Crans-Montana, only 40 had been inspected in 2025.
Feraud faced pointed questions from journalists about the relationships between local officials and bar owners, and the potential for corruption. The mother of two brothers who survived the fire demanded transparency, emphasizing the urgent need for answers.
Elected officials in towns like Crans-Montana are managing multiple responsibilities beyond fire safety—running schools, social services, and even collecting taxes. This situation, coupled with dwindling resources in richer towns, has raised significant concern. The aftermath of the fire has seen headlines filled with demands for accountability, with some calling for Feraud and his colleagues to resign.
A deeper, nationwide soul-searching is happening as the Swiss question why their political system, viewed as nearly perfect, failed so catastrophically. Emergency services responded quickly, but the feeling of pride has now vanished as the focus shifts to the neglected aspects of safety checks.
As investigations unfold, the Swiss government has pledged a strict, independent inquiry to ensure accountability and restore public trust.
