Rumy pushes 44 million franc visitor centre near parliament
Tuesday 29th September 2026 on 20:30 in
Switzerland
Swiss MP Farah Rumy is campaigning for a 44 million franc information and visitor centre near the Federal Parliament building in Bern, as rising visitor numbers leave some people unable to enter. SRF reports that the National Council is due to make an initial decision on the proposal on Wednesday.
Rumy, a Social Democratic Party member of parliament for Solothurn, said the centre would give visitors a place to learn about Swiss democracy and how parliament works. The existing parliament building would remain “the heart of our democracy”, she said, but a separate centre could help people of different ages and backgrounds understand political decision-making.
About 100,000 people visit the parliament building each year, including many school classes and large groups. Visitors are sometimes turned away during parliamentary sessions. The proposed centre, opposite the building, could welcome up to 300,000 people annually.
The 44 million franc budget includes 19.6 million francs for rent and 24.6 million francs for fitting out the rented premises, including renovation, refurbishment and exhibition costs. The initial rental period would be 12 years, with the option to extend it twice.
The centre would include a replica of a parliamentary chamber where visitors could follow a debate or hold one themselves. Rumy said the project would support political education, improve access to parliament and encourage dialogue between the public and parliament.
Some Swiss People’s Party members oppose the project because of its cost. Rumy said she had spoken with colleagues who supported the proposal as well as those who were critical, and stressed the importance of transparency.
Rumy said democracy was under pressure internationally, but rejected the idea that it was universally in crisis. She cited figures that 74 percent of the world’s population live under autocratic regimes and 26 percent in democracies, and said elected politicians should strengthen Swiss democracy and the public’s resilience to anti-democratic influences.